Bumpers/fenders on a 228?

[luckydude]

Hi all,

Brand new GW owner here, still trying to sort stuff. I'm new to fenders or whatever they are called, my first boat was a Triumph, they have a plastic hull so you just rammed into the dock and shrugged. You can patch that stuff up in 5 minutes, not as fragile as gelcoat.

I've already scraped up my 228 and had to repair so I'm trying to figure out bumpers. Specifically where to place them. I've tried to put them just above the water line, if you look here:

2023-11-04-10.08.14

you can see where I put them (if you are coming to this thread later, just go to http://www.mcvoy.com/lm/boat and spacebar through them, I'm gonna put a lot of pics of the 228 up so the number will change).

The ball bumper looks too low but when you push it in, it is above the water line.

So is that where you want them or am I doing it wrong? Sorry to be such a n00b, I just don't want to mess up my boat. I'm only a slight step above all those boater fails you see on youtube

 

[magicalbill]

Run a line thru the holes in the fenders located at either end so you can rig them horizontally as well as vertically.

Create a long enough line so you have 4-5 feet of slack at either end, giving you flexibility of where to tie the ends of the line.

My preferred method is to hang them horizontally just below the rub rail. The rub rail protrudes out away from the hull and is usually what contacts a dock piling when your tied up. When you hang them as stated, the fender takes the contact instead of the railing. If you tie at a floating dock with no pilings, set them up vertically like you have them in your picture.

One more thing about the pilings..When you come alongside a dock and put out your fenders, you'll need to rig fore & aft spring lines to keep the boat from drifting forward or back while tied up. Otherwise, the fenders will not stay lined up with the pilings on the dock, and it'll be hitting the rubrails.

I consider your fenders too small for the Seafarer. They should be at least one size bigger and be equipped with the aforementioned holes at either end for line tying. I see some using the big "ball" fenders, but I like the cylindrical ones.

If it were me, I'd get four of the largest fenders you can conveniently carry. They have an important job, are not that expensive, and should be adequately sized. With four you can fender on both sides if necessary.

 

[luckydude]

Run a line thru the holes in the fenders located at either end so you can rig them horizontally as well as vertically.

Create a long enough line so you have 4-5 feet of slack at either end, giving you flexibility of where to tie the ends of the line.

My preferred method is to hang them horizontally just below the rub rail. The rub rail protrudes out away from the hull and is usually what contacts a dock piling when your tied up. When you hang them as stated, the fender takes the contact instead of the railing. If you tie at a floating dock with no pilings, set them up vertically like you have them in your picture.

One more thing about the pilings..When you come alongside a dock and put out your fenders, you'll need to rig fore & aft spring lines to keep the boat from drifting forward or back while tied up. Otherwise, the fenders will not stay lined up with the pilings on the dock, and it'll be hitting the rubrails.

I consider your fenders too small for the Seafarer. They should be at least one size bigger and be equipped with the aforementioned holes at either end for line tying. I see some using the big "ball" fenders, but I like the cylindrical ones.

If it were me, I'd get four of the largest fenders you can conveniently carry. They have an important job, are not that expensive, and should be adequately sized. With four you can fender on both sides if necessary.

Huh. The blue ones are what the dealer made me buy, you'd think they'd know what size is right. How do you size them?

The ones I have are 7 inches in diameter, the balls are 12 inches. I have 6 in total so I run 3 per side.

What the heck do you do with them when you are under way? Please don't tell me people store them in the cuddy, that would mean you have to retie them each time you are at the dock.

 

[magicalbill]

"Dealers." Sometimes I wonder what they're thinking. Those fenders won't adequately protect the hullsides if your docked where there are boat wakes rocking you or there is exposed open water. My dealer is great, but I've heard weird stories about others. Under sizing boat trailers is another thing they're famous for.

Well, back to the topic...

I have never used a "formula" for sizing fenders. I mentally match them to the boat there to be used on and buy them. As I mentioned, bigger is better. They should be, in my way of thinking, twice the diameter of your existing fenders.

RE: Stowing Them Underway:

Unfortunately, you cannot leave them tied in position underway, hanging over the side. It looks amateurish and they might come undone and disappear. Leaving them tied in position and keeping them inside the boat won't work either..The pilings and configuration of each dock you arrive at are different and for them to be effective, they must be retied and re positioned at every stopping place. If you just throw them over the side, they won't always be set up to protect the boat, which is why you have them to begin with.

As far as a place to stow them, that's Captain's call. Remember, don't scrimp on size because of the inconvenience of stowing large fenders. I mean, you don't need fenders that would protect a 50 ft Hatteras Yacht...There's a good compromise here; when you find it, your gelcoat will thank you.

 

[Bloodweiser]

blue one looks small, maybe its the angle of the photo??, I stow mine under port side seat storage compartment. I only use two fenders though.

 

[magicalbill]

I just looked again at your pic. "Twice the diameter" of your existing fenders may be a little big. They certainly need to be bigger than what you have..maybe 1/2 again as large. Sorry...

 

[DennisG01]

Actually, that blue one is just fine. You can never go wrong with bigger fenders, but that will provide plenty of protection for normal docking. The key is to adjust the fender (google for adjustable fender locks/hangers) to the right height for a particular dock. "Typically", if you hand the fender so the bottom touches, or is just above, the water, you're good. You don't really need one up at the bow - docks are straight and your bow curves away from the dock so there's no way the bow will hit... if you're docking properly, that is! Quickly... approach at a 45* angle, steer to start the boat going alongside the dock, then pop it in reverse at the same time you turn the engine the opposite way. The boat will land perfectly parallel and not moving, gently resting near the dock.

Since you're used to "crash docking", you might want to re-think your docking tactics Improving your docking skill set is the better thing to focus on. For example, don't try to dock "onto" the dock - instead, shoot to be about a foot away for now, until you get better. Also... quick tip... always approach the dock into the wind - you have better control that way.

And, yes, the normal course of action is to stow the fenders when not in use. Others on board can help.

 

[Pighunter]

I just got these today from Amazon $79 for 4. Plenty big enough for my 228
Sorry pictures won't upload

 

[luckydude]

I just got these today from Amazon $79 for 4. Plenty big enough for my 228
Sorry pictures won't upload

These guys?

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOHOME-Ribbed-Marine-Fender-Protection/dp/B07GDFJSF9

That's basically identical to my blue and white ones.

 

[Pighunter]

These guys?

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOHOME-Ribbed-Marine-Fender-Protection/dp/B07GDFJSF9

That's basically identical to my blue and white ones.

These, they are bigger

Amazon.com : Goplus 4 Ribbed Marine Boat Fender Vinyl Bumper Dock Shield Durable (Black, 6.5" X 23") : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Goplus 4 Ribbed Marine Boat Fender Vinyl Bumper Dock Shield Durable (Black, 6.5" X 23") : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[seasick]

Fender or bumper? What is the difference....
When one of those gizmos is hung over the boat on the hull it is a fender. If the same gizmo is fixed to a dock or bulkhead, it is a bumper

For small hulls like the 208 of which I own, I buy fenders at Walmart when I can, The largest they have runs about $13 ( I think it is 8 inch diameter) . Go to a marine store and you will pay 3 times that amount.
While you are at it, buy fender lines. They are cheap and make hanging the fender a simple job. In addition, they have smaller lines and that allows a cleat to handle the fender line as well as a dock line.

 

[DennisG01]

Just a random thought to throw out there in regards to fenders and pricing... I'm not knocking the less expensive ones as I don't know anything about them. But I've only ever bought the Taylor Made. They're more expensive - but they also come with a lifetime warranty. That's it - that's all I wanted to say on that!

 

[glacierbaze]

If you keep your boat in a slip, tie the fenders to the dock, and you don't have to mess with them every time you go boating. Carry two small ones for transient docking.

 

[SeanC]

blue one looks small, maybe its the angle of the photo??, I stow mine under port side seat storage compartment. I only use two fenders though.

I store my 2 under the starboard transom seat and could fit another under the port transom seat if I had 4.

 

[seasick]

Just a random thought to throw out there in regards to fenders and pricing... I'm not knocking the less expensive ones as I don't know anything about them. But I've only ever bought the Taylor Made. They're more expensive - but they also come with a lifetime warranty. That's it - that's all I wanted to say on that!

I am not sure I know the details of the Lifetime Warranty but I kind of doubt it covers normal wear and tear. I dock in saltwater and in order for some of the fenders to contact the hull and the rub rail on the dock, the lower tip of the fender is below the water line. It gets yucky over time with slime and who knows what. It doesn't wash off.
Fenders also loose some of their gloss from sun damage. That results in a rougher surface and that mars the gel coat.
So for me, it is less painful to chuck a two or three season old $13 fender as opposed to a $35 one
On a separate, I once bought a set of blue fenders at a marine store. I don't remember if there were Taylor or not but the packaging said the color would not rub off. Ha, After the first season, I had blue scuff marks on the hull. Never again.

 

[wrxhoon]

What the heck do you do with them when you are under way? Please don't tell me people store them in the cuddy, that would mean you have to retie them each time you are at the dock.

If I was you I would use a plastic crate and fix it on the swim platform on the port or starboard the opposite side of the ladder and secure them in that. I find them in the water all the time, people leave them hanging on the side and loose them.

 

[Holokai]

I bought em when the went on sale at West Marine. 6x22 or thereabout for sizing for my 208. The 12” diameter round/ball style will work too. More importantly is learning to adjust their height if you’re docking somewhere with non-floating docks. I’d recommend non-braided line/rope for them as the 3-strand can untwist and get ugly over time (especially if you accidentally leave them out while underway). I keep two readily accessible and store them in the port fishbox. They can also be stored in the walkaround area; just make sure they’re tied off to the bow rail (a clove hitch works)

 

[Keeldad]

Zoom in on the 2 aft fenders ( Ignore the foward-most one). One of the guys in my boatyard came up with this, Get a piece of PVC that fits the rod holders ( I think 1 1/2”) Cut it to length, drill a hole in it and run the line from the fender, adjust where you want it to fall and knot it off. If you want to get fancy, put a PVC cap on it ( and also notch the bottom to fit on the pin in the bottom of the holder so it doesn’t twist) and there you go! When underway, just pull them out and stow.

 

[magicalbill]

With all the replies, I thought I'd mention this again: I outlined it in my early response to luckydude.

This has worked for every dock I've tied up to in the last 30 years.

Rig whatever fender you decide on with line that you run thru the holes. Have sufficient length at either end so you can rig it horizontally. (Vertically if your at a floating dock.)

Tie your fender horizontally JUST BARELY UNDER the rubrail of your Grady. Position them so they are in line with the dock pilings once you get your Grady alongside the dock. Pilings will stick out further than the dock that you walk on, therefore, your boat will hit them first. They are usually every five or six feet along the dock section, depending on how the dock was built. Tie spring lines fore & aft so the boat doesn't drift back and forth with the wind/current and make sure your fenders catch and are always lined up with the pilings.

if it is done in this manner, there is no need to worry about vertical height. The fenders are lined up with the pilings that stick out further than the dock, the fenders hit the pilings, and even if you have 10 Miller Lites at the dockside pub and the tide falls 2 feet in the interim, the fenders will still be contacting the pilings.

 

[Ky Grady]

With all the replies, I thought I'd mention this again: even if you have 10 Miller Lites at the dockside pub and the tide falls 2 feet in the interim, the fenders will still be contacting the pilings.

I feel this could be experience talking here.