Fendering for rough concrete docks

[Capt Phil]

Originally Posted by NahanniV

Fender board.

In that situation I would center the fender board over the tire that is already on the dock.

We carried a 2"*8"*6' cedar board. Used it a lot.

Cheers,
JM.

+1! Phil

[inchcailloch]

Tyres from local dump, loads of them.......make good drogues too

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by inchcailloch

Tyres from local dump, loads of them.......make good drogues too

Tyres/tires stink against your hull unless you have a tug or a mule. I bought a boat that had one for a drogue. It's a fish habituate someplace in the Gulf of Mexico.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I just posted fender boards for locks. Concrete docks are also right for using them. Use something cheap and replace when torn up. Cheaper than your fenders taking the abrasion.

I could have been more clear.

Fender boards are great for tides and locks IF the sides or pilings are smooth. Fixed tires are not.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Greggegner

I carry a 4' length of PVC 4" pile. Drill holes in each end and tie a line with the line going over the end. Hang this as a fender board. Nice and slick and it sores well.


Greg S/V Sweet Dreams
Pearson P385 out of Racine Wisconsin

The main down side of 4" pipe is lack of bearing surface. Load rating = area x psi, and a 4" pipe has ~ 1/3 the useful area of a 2 x 8. Good 95% of the time, until the pressure gets up. I've watched fenders get pretty flat.

On the other hand, they are more slippery, which could help.

I'll have to try on, and compare.

[Paul L]

We use these inflatable fenders. Work very well and are rugged Easystow Fenders

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Fender boards are great for tides and locks IF the sides or pilings are smooth. Fixed tires are not.

Sometimes, that can be a mighty big "If"...

;-)






I would never use fender boards in a lock, no matter how smooth the walls, particularly when upbound. I think Estar has it right, the best all around solution if you have the room to stow them, is a Big Set of Balls...










like Paul L suggests, I'm always surprised more cruisers don't opt for inflatable fenders... Especially on smaller boats like mine, they're the only way to go. Mine are from Aere', and while they are a bit pricey, it's $ well spent, the damn things are virtually bulletproof...

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Greggegner

I carry a 4' length of PVC 4" pile. Drill holes in each end and tie a line with the line going over the end. Hang this as a fender board. Nice and slick and it sores well.


Greg S/V Sweet Dreams
Pearson P385 out of Racine Wisconsin

Sounds like a good idea. Schedule 40 or 20?

[OBXSkipper]

We only have room for two lg inflatable balls, were a pain to breakout,rig and inflate but they saved my topsides many times.

[admiralslater]

I used 2x6 fender boards in the locks on the Erie 3 times no prob. I make mine by drilling a 1/2 hole straight down in the center of the 2 inch side 6 or so inches in then I drill a 1 inch hole on the six inch side so it intercepts the top down hole ,push a piece of 3/8 line in from the top and make a knot where the one inch hole is . board always sits flat and no chafe .Takes less time than typing this post. the board and fenders are tied to the boat independently

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Tyres/tires stink against your hull unless you have a tug or a mule. I bought a boat that had one for a drogue. It's a fish habituate someplace in the Gulf of Mexico.

For yachts transiting the Panama Canal they wrap them in plastic...good enough for one trip at least.

[Thelimee]

why not med moor at that dock? It looks like every town quay in the Ionian and locking the anchor keeps you off the dock


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Sounds like a good idea. Schedule 40 or 20?

Sch 40 will be about 30% weaker than a 2x6 (did some calculations). I don't think you want to go lighter unless you do not expect serious storms.

And remember that the fenders have less bearing surface = less capacity. But if you shove one in the middle it should be fine.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by admiralslater

I used 2x6 fender boards in the locks on the Erie 3 times no prob. I make mine by drilling a 1/2 hole straight down in the center of the 2 inch side 6 or so inches in then I drill a 1 inch hole on the six inch side so it intercepts the top down hole ,push a piece of 3/8 line in from the top and make a knot where the one inch hole is . board always sits flat and no chafe .Takes less time than typing this post. the board and fenders are tied to the boat independently

What do you see as the advantages of separate vs. connected?

I drill the hanging holes straight through, but I had a long bit. The ropes hanging out the sides are tails and it does not matter if they chafe off.

[Greggegner]

Go with schedule 40...also light than a 2x6 or 8...


Greg S/V Sweet Dreams
Pearson P385 out of Racine Wisconsin