Poll: Which Fender Camp Are You In ?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

- write to your Congressman now!

Sexist!

Congresshuman

[offline]

I was taught that fenders are used for arrivals and for very temporary docking (ie fuel dock) .... When I am leaving the boat for more than a few minutes I have the boat properly docked and on spring lines.

[Hudson Force]

I often find it hard to respond to one of these "always" vs. "never" polls. I rarely deploy fenders when approaching pilings, but usually have fenders out when approaching a floating dock. If I complete my docking against pilings I usually hang a fender board & fenders without the board on the floating dock. Are there really any of these "always or never" people?

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by zeehag

. . . are not spozed to be used in a vertical position-- is minimal function in vertical position--mine are horizontal to water and . . .

Horizontally positioned fenders only works when there is no or minimal tidal range. With any moderate of more tidal rise and drop, fenders need to be in the vertical position so they will not either be above or below the dock edge. Sometimes it evens works to position the fender at a diagonal angle to get a bit more fore and aft along with up and down.

[Therapy]

Not great pics but I had to read a lot till some (2?) talked about pilings and maybe wind and tide.

I have boards because I rest on only two pilings. At low I would go under the dock and hit rock.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by zeehag

i also start my tying off to dock midships--is difficult to move this boat manually if a wind catches it, so is easiest to secure midships then bow and stern..THEN fenders are added where needed

Well, we may differ on when to deploy fender, but we agree on this. I actually installed midship cleats on my 33 footer just to be able to do this. It was fun experimenting to find the "balance point" where the least effort would secure the boat.

[osirissail]

If docking to windward to a fuel dock or wide enough slip with finger piers, I preset the fenders, rig bow and stern lines and then add a long line midships run through a snatch block attached to the jib track and run up to my primary winches.
- - Upon getting the boat as close as possible to the dock/pier, I toss the midship line to somebody on the dock/pier and have them tie it to a cleat. Then I "winch" the boat to the dock/pier using the primary winch. Afterwards, the bow and stern lines are set and things tidied up.

[simonmd]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

I was taught to NOT put any fenders out while docking

Ok, whoever taught you this is an idiot, plain and simple. I don't care if youre going to a private slip, mooring alongside another boat or going stern too (Med' style), fenders are there for a reason. To protect yours and MOST importantly, other people's property. Also, to expect crew to run up and down with loose fenders 'just in case' is asking for trouble and inviting someone to get hurt.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by simonmd

Ok, whoever taught you this is an idiot, plain and simple. . . .

Sounds like a typical or former stink-potter attitude. We try to be "polite" in CF and not bluntly condemn anybody for a difference in opinion be it justified or not.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by osirissail

Sounds like a typical or former stink-potter attitude.

I disagree, sounds more like someone with a Multihull

We try to be "polite" in CF and not bluntly condemn anybody for a difference in opinion be it justified or not.

But by PM we are allowed to explain to folk why they are complete c~~~s.......

[simonmd]

Stink-potter??? If that is some derogatory term for a power boater, A, look at my sig and avatar picture and B, ALL boats manovering in marinas are under power anyway.

Listen, i'm as polite and resonable as the next guy but when it comes to plain WRONG practice like this that endangers other peoples property and most importantly, the safety of crew, it's best to tell it straight.

Picture the scene, your crew has two hands and ANY respectable sailor with a hint of safety in mind will always tell you, "one hand for you, one hand for the boat". Therefore, ONE hand free to manipulate and tie up fenders AND handle mooring lines? One jab of throttle unexpectantly and they're over or banging into hard stuff on the quayside / boat. Or, unexpected gust of wind and they find themselves running to the other end of the boat to fend off, again, splash or bang as they trip on the line from the very fender/s they are trying to carry.

I never said the OP was an idiot, in fact i applaud him for asking the question, it's the guy who gave the advise and I stand by my statement. I'd rather be blunt and not see anyone hurt and so should you.

[Dustymc]

Where does everyone get all these people running around with fenders and taking lines and running winches and hurling themselves betwixt your boat and expensive things? I've tried very hard to cultivate a sense of fear with my neighbors ("this thing ain't got no brakes and only turns when IT wants to - I bet that big anchor sticking way out there would be rough on your gelcoat...."), and I still end up going it alone 99% of the time.

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

c~~~s.......

I'd like to buy a vowel.

[zeehag]

there are NO fender use regulations, dont tell the congressmen ,,,
\ and is not congress human--is congressidjit..lol they are inhuman. rofl...

[Johnathon123]

Ok, I am firmly in the fender camp, as many as I can.

HOWEVER, the longer I own a boat, the less room I seem to have to store the crash and bash baubles.

Where do you store them in the size and quantity required.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Johnathon123

Where do you store them in the size and quantity required.

From what I see, you leave them hanging over the side .