Drop the Boat Fenders when anchored?

[Don C L]

Abe, you oughta come in closer, in the shallower water, where we are anchored bow and stern! We (usually) don't worry about anyone banging into us, and if they do it is probably conditions where a fender won't offer much protection!

[JPA Cate]

When docked, we have used the dinghy as a super fender. Embarrassing, but better than scratches. Another boat upwind of us (the dinghy side), all other fenders deployed between boat and dock. Adequate in sustained 50's from the stern quarter.

Ann

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

When docked, we have used the dinghy as a super fender. Embarrassing, but better than scratches. Another boat upwind of us (the dinghy side), all other fenders deployed between boat and dock. Adequate in sustained 50's from the stern quarter.

Ann

In my opinion using your dinghy as a fender looks rude , it usually signals don’t tie up here

[Tortuga's Lie]

Simple solution for keeping other boats from anchoring too close to you: use one of those oil spill booms around your boat when at anchor, they'll stay far, far away!

[Polski Gus]

Do what is best for you and what you feel is appropriate to protect you and your boat. Don't worry what others think.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by sailingabe41ds

Hi..

It kind of looks silly to put your fenders down on an anchorage....but does anyone do it on a crowded anchorage to protect the boat from someone dragging into you?

Abe

Yes, and when moored as well. Firstly, any anchor, given lack of technique, poor design or "operator error, can drag...straight into you if the wind and the density of the anchorage is not in your favour.

Secondly, and relatedly, some anchorages are surrounded by steep-to rocks or cliff faces. It is possible to drag (or to have some element of the ground tackle part) and yet not incur much damage if you encounter a cliff face with big Polyforms out. We have a steel sailboat, but this is true for any boat if the shore is steep-to, at least for enough time to solve the problem.

Thirdly, tenders in rough stuff can damage or be damaged by boat sides when coming alongside. Fenders help both the finish and the tender's tender spots.

Lastly, it gets the damn things off the side decks. When going over oceans, deflate and stow the fenders. When coasting, care less about "looks" and more about function. My .02.

[Auspicious]

No. Contact points are random and you'd need a LOT of fenders and boards to be useful. I do keep a couple of fenders on deck as roamers. I don't sleep well in crowded anchorages.

[Mjames]

We do put them out on occasion but don't have too many crowded anchorages on the Great Lakes. But it clears up the deck for enjoying the boat more.

[YANDINA]

The heads popped up in a crowded anchorage when they heard the rattle of an anchor chain.
"You're a little close aren't you?"
"Oh its OK, we're made of steel."

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by thomm225

What's with the herding instinct anyway?

Sometimes routes/tides/winds/etc will concentrate people in an area and that area may have limited anchorages. I think someone already mentioned the Chesapeake & Delaware canal as an example. If you are coming up the Chesapeake and want to head for NYC, do you really want to head a couple hundred miles back south to take the outside route?

While I don't see any harm in putting out the fenders, I also don't see it doing much good. If the rear corner of a boat comes down the side of your boat, what are the odds it will line up with a fender and the fender won't simply be pushed out of the way.

[sailingabe41ds]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Abe, you oughta come in closer, in the shallower water, where we are anchored bow and stern! We (usually) don't worry about anyone banging into us, and if they do it is probably conditions where a fender won't offer much protection!

I have been doing that more lately specially at Alberts just next to the western cliffs and calmer than Coches.
Im just a lttle lazy sometimes.
abe

[andrewvik]

Kinda pointless. What are the chances that your neighbor runs into you perfectly parallel and inline with your boat? It's the corners that need protection.

[Cynara]

The chance of a dragging boat will hit your fenders are slim. We had a hard dinghy that we sometimes tied to the side and we would use the fenders then

[Corvidae]

We usually throw them out just to clear the deck space while anchored. I really need to get some fender holders.

[ColIn Ferguson]

It can be a useful message to pointedly deploys your fenders if you think the new arrival is too close to you.


We have ours permanently rigged on a line through the lower eyes that pulls them up while sailing and deploys easily for berthing.