fender foolishness

trapper

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Yes I know, this has little to do with docking, running, fishing, boat enjoyment but..........Am I the only guy that that does not understand how a skipper can head out on a beautiful designed boat and leave the fenders out. Just a swinging and flapping on the side of the boat while fishing and running. To me the the lines of the boat are somewhat disturbed by the flap and bounce of these rubber sausages that I believe should be tucked back onto the boat once leaving the dock. Ok so I am having a "Vid moment and find it easier to post this than actual asking a skipper the reason for the flopping tubes. Would not the rubber tubes be a little irritating bouncing of the hull while running, or possible in the way while fishing? Ok.... I feel better now as I have kept this to myself all these years and just worked up the courage to say it out loud.
 

ScottyCee

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I think of that as a "Newb" move all the way. I'll be interested to see if there are other perspectives...
 

ScottyCee

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Sure, but you probably didn't leave all four fenders a-flapping in the wind LOL!
 

seasick

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It's not just newbies. I see it all the time, especially on larger cruisers where the fenders are harder to get to and often not very visible from the helm. Like Skunkboat, I have never left a fender out while at sea:)
 
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ScottyCee

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Well, of course not! Neither have I! That's why I'm feeling so free to dis anyone that has or does! :cool:
 
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Blaugrana

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Even more of a Newb move is to be going out a channel at speed and then cutting your engine in the middle of the channel to unhook your bumpers.

In that same channel, I saw a guy last week that moored his boat to one of the channel markers while he fished.
 

Capnjim7

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:cool:well, I can't say that I have NEVER forgotten that here was a fender hanging.....or GAS CAP...or a chum bucket....or a fishing line out.....
And never ever left the ladder down ....or the antenna up under that bridge either!
 
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HookUp

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I think I was watching one of the Haulover videos and saw a fender that was left out flop into the boat and wack a passenger real good
 

RussGW270

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I imagine that people are more concerned with being safe, avoiding other boats, steering through waves.

The last thing on my mind is whether my or anyone else’s fenders are hanging over the edge. I do not think it is the mark of a noob captain, just an accident and not worthy of losing sleep over it.

R
 
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HookUp

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I imagine that people are more concerned with being safe, avoiding other boats, steering through waves.

The last thing on my mind is whether my or anyone else’s fenders are hanging over the edge. I do not think it is the mark of a noob captain, just an accident and not worthy of losing sleep over it.

R

gotta disagree with this one Russ
Part of being safe is making sure fenders aren't flopping into the boat whacking passengers. Pretty sure others boaters are not at risk.
That is until a fenders takes out the guy driving.
Also signals to me the "capt" doesn't really run a tight ship if fenders and lines are flopping and flailing all over the place
 

RussGW270

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Well, if the fenders are flapping so bad that passengers are in danger, then they are probably going far too fast and are crappy captains for a whole different reason.

R
 

RussGW270

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Fenders....aka bumpers...the dock protectors. I have always called them bumpers, but God help you if you called them that and someone heard you lol

I generally do not stop what I am doing to pull them in till I am out of the harbor, would mean I am not at the wheel. If I have guests, I have them do it when we get off the dock and are clear of the boats next to us.

Easy to forget, hard to not know once you hit speed.

R
 

trapper

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Believe me, it was just a question. More about fenders left to flop than the occasional "forgot to tuck it in". If anyone has been "offenderd" I apologize! THT thread? Maybe I appeared to be just getting too darn unfriendly! OOOOps! but I certainly got a responce!
 
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RussGW270

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no offense taken here. It happens a lot, hell.. I do it once in a while.. and yes, people call me a noob when I do it.. don't care. They can call me names...makes me feel at home :p

R