Boat Fender Holder, Stainless Steel

From the Manufacturer's Introduction

Properly sized boat fenders can alleviate the stress of docking and safeguard your vessel's hull from unsightly scrapes and costly repairs. However, as individual needs and conditions vary greatly, this buying guide should serve only as a starting point. We encourage you to consult multiple reliable sources of fender and docking information before making a purchasing decision.

Types of Boat Fenders There are two primary types of boat fenders: inflatable and foam. Inflatable fenders, the most common, are ideal for a wide range of boat types and docking conditions, and can be deployed both vertically and horizontally. Foam fenders, such as folding fenders, are less bulky and suitable for limited stowage spaces, while contour foam fenders work well for bass and jon boats with low freeboards.

Materials Boat fenders must be built to withstand years of heavy use, requiring heavy-duty marine-grade materials. Inflatable fenders should feature UV-stabilized, rotomolded vinyl or PVC construction with reinforced eyes or center holes and ribbed sides for added strength and resistance. Foam fenders should have tri-laminated vinyl covers, thermal-bonded seams, rust-proof grommets, and reinforced handles (if applicable).

Accessories In addition to the fenders themselves, marine-grade lines and deployment accessories are essential. UV-stabilized braided nylon line is recommended, as it won't degrade from sun exposure. Stainless steel fender holders and locks facilitate rapid deployment, while automatic adjusters make height adjustments easy. Keep a sports ball air pump onboard for quick fender inflation as needed.

Choosing the Right Fenders Boat Length and Weight: The general rule of thumb is one fender for every 10 feet of boat length, plus a few spares. For boats under 30 feet, deploy at least three fenders - one fore, one at maximum beam, and one aft. Calculate the appropriate fender diameter as roughly one inch per four-five feet of boat length, increasing the size for unusually heavy boats.

Dock Conditions: Under normal docking conditions, fenders sized for your boat's length and weight should suffice. However, in choppy waters or tidal surge areas, a larger fender diameter offering greater resistance may be required.

Special Applications: When rafting up with another boat, use fenders sized for the larger vessel, with three deployed at maximum beam plus two spherical buoys fore and aft. Low freeboard boats benefit from contour fenders, while folding fenders are ideal for deck boats and pontoons.

In summary, this guide provides a starting point for selecting the appropriate boat fenders, but consulting multiple reliable sources is recommended to ensure the best fit for your vessel and docking needs.

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