Fender Cover Fabric

[lippysyd]

So I was thinking of making some fender covers as a gift for our friends who got us into sailing. Someone had suggested sweatpants as fabric, but I was thinking of something a bit fancier. Any suggestions?

[xiabbo]

sunbrella is the best.

[cfarrar]

Mine are fleece. It's easy on the top sides, wears well, and hides the dirt smudges.

[lippysyd]

Originally Posted by xiabbo

sunbrella is the best.

I thought Sunbrella at first, then I looked at premade ones and they were all some type of knit. I wondered if it made a difference.

[dennisjay]

We use boat blanket material from Sailrite.com. Holds up well and doesn't scratch gelcoat. There's a video on the website on how to make the covers.

[lippysyd]

Originally Posted by dennisjay

We use boat blanket material from Sailrite.com. Holds up well and doesn't scratch gelcoat. There's a video on the website on how to make the covers.

That's perfect! Thanks!

[tamicatana]

Second on the boat blanket, it's da bomb

[Cotemar]

We make fender covers and dock line to cleat covers from Fuzzy Fleece purchased from Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores. We use black shock cord sewn into the ends to tie them shut on both ends. These leave absolutely no marks on the boat finish.

[mikereed100]

Of no help to the OP, but we dress our fenders in t-shirts. Cheap and dead-easy.

[NurseJayne]

I bought a few pairs of blue jeans at a garage sale, 25 cents each. The leg, with a pleat at the bottom and a channel sewed for a tie to gather the top, cut edge, work just fine.
They may deteriorate quickly but you can't beat the price. I like the fleece idea and will be perusing my sweat pants for the next set of fender covers!

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

If you are using fleece, make sure it is a low nap. The denser fleece will pick up dirt, gravel etc. and that will scratch gel coat, that's why I like bare fenders.

[sarafina]

The premade covers are of knit so that they fit anything.

I like the sunbrella as well. Wears well, don't scratch or crock, and can be cleaned easily, and stays looking good much longer than the knits. But they pretty much have to be made to fit the fender.

To make them measure around the fender, and along the fender from center end point to center tether, NOT just the side length. You have to account for the curve ; -)

Cut fabric with an inch extra around and 3 inches extra in length. Zig Zag all around, or cut with a heat knife to seal edges.

Wrap around fender and mark the seam allowance up side, It should be around 1/2". Sew up from top to bottom.

Turn up bottom inside 1 1/2" Stitch with 1/2" allowance leaving a 1" pocket. Run shock cord or nylon cord thru pocket, draw up tight and secure with toggle or knot.

Test on fender to make sure it's the right length. If it is then go to next step. If it is a bit long then turn the top edge under further. If it's a bit short then turn it under less, or let out the bottom pocket a bit.

Turn up top inside and repete. Make sure you cut the top cord long enough for the cover to be fully opened and slid over the fender before drawing it up tight and securing it.

If you know someone with a fancy sewing maching that does embroidery you can have the boat name stitched on before you sew it all up. That way if you drop a fender it may find it's way back to you!

[zeehag]

i have seen everything from old nightshirts to old t shirts to od sweats to nothing on fenders--i prefer mine nekkid and rubber to my hull. scratches less than covers do.
but i dont really care about the scratching--is the noise of the scratching i dislike.

[simonmd]

Yes, clean fender covers look nice but as soon as they get any salt or grit on them, the gellcoat will suffer. A false ecconomy in my opinion.

[TootsSea]

I made fleece covers for all my fenders and they work great! They do fade after awhile tho. The best part about them is they don't make noise when tied with another boat.