Fender Covers advice experiences etc

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by slug

Sunbrella is s poor choice

The fabric will have a long vertical seam
The seam stitching chafes and the cover fails

Additionally sunbrella doesn’t stretch

You install a cover with the fender deflated, then inflate the fender into the cover

Over pressure when inflating or overpressure when the fender heats up in the sun will burst the seam

Different ships, different long splices, mate. I always have fitted the covers over the inflated fender. It works well that way, too.

******
I went and looked at Sailrite's boat blanket fender material. It is a polyester fabric, perhaps UV treated, I couldn't tell from what they had there, not much in the way of description.

Ann

[brucebach]

If you leave the boat in the water over the winter and have it shrink wrapped, take off the covers as the heat gut may melt/singe the fleece material.

[Grattaway]

also consider if it is really worth having more plastic whatever onboard so that it can abrade into the water at your local dock point. Tread lightly - stay safe

[billgewater]

Around our marina, it is common to see a fender just floating around. Painting your boat name on the fender top is cheap and easy to do. Irrespective of any covering, the fender that is floating around is not doing its job.
We have always used really cheap colourful T shirts from the local op shop. OK, not spiffy or very ship smart, but effective.
I have also noted that the marks left on a hull depends on a number of factors. The hull paint/condition, the actual fender material or its cover and the amount of "fendering pressure/contact" a fender is doing.. But another factor is your proximity to aircraft passover paths -take off/landing. Unburnt or even burnt aviation fuel tends to create black stains that are hard to remove.

[slug]

Originally Posted by billgewater

Around our marina, it is common to see a fender just floating around. Painting your boat name on the fender top is cheap and easy to do. Irrespective of any covering, the fender that is floating around is not doing its job.
We have always used really cheap colourful T shirts from the local op shop. OK, not spiffy or very ship smart, but effective.
I have also noted that the marks left on a hull depends on a number of factors. The hull paint/condition, the actual fender material or its cover and the amount of "fendering pressure/contact" a fender is doing.. But another factor is your proximity to aircraft passover paths -take off/landing. Unburnt or even burnt aviation fuel tends to create black stains that are hard to remove.

Yes indeed

Regulations and good seamanship requires that all floating objects on the yacht are labeled with the yachts name ...fender, cushions Floorboards , life jackets ...anything that floats

Good corona downtime project ...start labeling

[steve77]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

I went and looked at Sailrite's boat blanket fender material. It is a polyester fabric, perhaps UV treated, I couldn't tell from what they had there, not much in the way of description.

Ann

In five years in the Med I haven’t seen any degradation from UV. Sorry, I’m not a fabric guy, but I can tell you they still look great. We haven’t been particularly gentle with them...

Steve

[Akapeterc]

I make simple cheap ones up that I can replace when they wear out for near nothing I just go along to a department store and buy a couple of pairs of real large size track pants with elastic at the ankles cut the legs off feed the rope of the fender through the elastic part of the leg you can pull it down over the top.

[jharding]

the fender covers from Cape Hatteras Marine, are the best I have seen, I have seen many that are ten years old and holding up great to UV and abrasion, more importantly they are soft on your hull. they are made of the sailrite boat blanket material, easy to sew up and will last forever, do it once and forget it. Cape Hatteras does nice boat name embroidery also.

[Jamme]

Maine Coast Marine Products. Great looking and long lasting.

[Differentroads]

What Ilanortho says. 2 to 3 years life at ('for me) 4€ per cover. The only downside is going into the shop and buying five pairs of xxl womens leggings.
Cheaper on ebay or alibaba. And less embarrasing

[svhydra]

up here in Canada some time ago I went to a thrift store and bought some kids hockey socks. unfortunately due to my boats dark blue canvas I was forced to buy Toronto Maple Leafs bue and white colours…. sigh . they work great and because they are two toned look good . I had to add a Calgary Flames burgee so my friends didn't get the wrong idea....all the best.

[David B]

Originally Posted by pattyann

I'm guessing if this is the correct place to post this question. We are looking for
advice, experience, concerning what's the best fabric to look for when purchasing fender covers. Lots of choices but when you can't touch and feel the fabric along with seeing the construction,(stitching, rope ) it's a crap shoot for me knowing nothing fabrics and brands available. We like rugged. Patty

Fendress do a very nice quality double layered fender sock. When the outer is faded or worn, just turn inside out for a whole new cover.

The fabric is soft and top quality. Ours have lasted 8+ years.