How to choose the right boat fender
How to choose the right boat fender
A fender only works if it is big enough to keep the hull off the quay under the worst conditions your berth sees, not the average ones. Most damage happens when a fender that was adequate in calm water gets compressed flat by wash or wind.
The three things that decide the size
- Displacement, not length. A heavy displacement cruiser needs more fender than a light planing boat of the same length. The fender has to absorb the boat’s momentum.
- How exposed the berth is. A sheltered marina box is a different problem from a harbour wall exposed to passing traffic and swell.
- What you lie against. A flat pontoon spreads load. A piled quay, a ladder or another boat concentrates it, and needs a larger or additional fender at that point.
Our G-series sizes
| Model | Diameter × length |
|---|---|
| G2 | 11 × 40 cm |
| G3 | 14 × 50 cm |
G4 (16 × 58 cm), G5 (21 × 68 cm) and G6 (26 × 78 cm) are available on request. All sizes are inflatable, made from UV-resistant PVC with reinforced rope eyes at both ends.
How many
Four is the practical minimum for coming alongside: two on the working side positioned at the widest part of the hull, and two spares to move where they are needed. Boats that lie alongside permanently, or raft up against other boats, need more. It is normal to carry one size larger than your everyday fenders for rough berths and for rafting.
Hanging them correctly
- Hang from a cleat or rail, never from a guardrail wire alone, because the load will bend stanchions.
- Set the height so the widest part of the fender sits at the point of contact when the boat is at rest, then check it again at the other end of the tide.
- Use a fender holder if you adjust height often; it is faster and it does not chafe the line.
- Check the pressure. An under-inflated fender bottoms out under load and gives no protection at the moment you need it.
Rope and hardware
Fender lines take shock loading rather than steady load, so a rope with some stretch is an advantage here. This is one of the few jobs where polypropylene is the better choice over a high-performance fibre. Keep the lines short enough that the fender cannot swing under the hull.
Need a size recommendation?
Send us your boat’s length, displacement and a description of your berth at info@maritiem-winkel.nl and we will recommend a size and a quantity.