Boat Fenders

[LadyGT]

What size fenders are recommended? I noticed some vinyl ones at Bass Pro last weekend that are flexible. Has anybody tried the Taylor Made products? Any recommendations are appreciated.

[Bamby]

Dockmate Tuff Shield II Fender Package

Premium protection for 20' to 25' boat

Four 6-1/2" x 22" Tuff Shield II Fenders

Four Dockmate 5' Fender Lines (two 2-packs)

23" x 30" mesh gear bag

[LadyGT]

I am a bit confused with the link provided. The information given mentions something about a valve for inflation. Don't these stay inflated permanently? I have some smaller fenders and never had to inflate them.

[curtiscapk]

Nope most of them use a ball needle to inflate.

[COTTS4x4]

Mine are 8.5x27" - they are one size up from the standard ones that are common. Seems that with these boats the more surface area the better if you dont want you boat all beat up. I use 3 fenders on my boat 99% of the time.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-RIBBED-BO ... 2c&vxp=mtr

I bought mine on ebay a whole lot cheaper than bass pro or overtons! Then get 3 sets of ezfenders via the link at the top of this page and you'll be all set!

[LadyGT]

What is the difference in brands of bumpers other than price? I always thought they were the same. I am only going to need them to load and unload passengers at a dock. We will not be storing our boat at a slip, so do we need heavy duty fenders?

[COTTS4x4]

I don't know the differences in them, but we raft boats together so I want as much protection as possible. Also when we dock at hotel's it helps protect the boat from the dock when a boats wake comes through.

[LadyGT]

I found references to inflatable fenders. What are the benefits to owning those? Is it for storage?

[Bamby]

I found references to inflatable fenders. What are the benefits to owning those? Is it for storage?

No not really.... Think of fenders as a energy absorption / dispersion device which in reality they really are. They are for the most part generic in nature being despite boat design the "bumpers remain the same". On our pontoon boats we'd generally air our fenders a bit toward the softer side, because we'd want them to flatten out and absorb the energy rather than having a real firm bumper pushing in a fence panel.

Now let's say for some reason you're tying off to a cabin cruiser, now your protection needs are a bit different and the fender's need to be firmer. The contact points are going to be much smaller "|\" and near or at the top of your fencing and maybe they're rub rail. But then again tying off is a art in itself, but it comes around to where everyone's boat is safe and secure and folks can enjoy themselves without worrying about damage.

[LadyGT]

I found references to inflatable fenders. What are the benefits to owning those? Is it for storage?

No not really.... Think of fenders as a energy absorption / dispersion device which in reality they really are. They are for the most part generic in nature being despite boat design the "bumpers remain the same". On our pontoon boats we'd generally air our fenders a bit toward the softer side, because we'd want them to flatten out and absorb the energy rather than having a real firm bumper pushing in a fence panel.

Now let's say for some reason you're tying off to a cabin cruiser, now your protection needs are a bit different and the fender's need to be firmer. The contact points are going to be much smaller "|\" and near or at the top of your fencing and maybe they're rub rail. But then again tying off is a art in itself, but it comes around to where everyone's boat is safe and secure and folks can enjoy themselves without worrying about damage.

When I asked my husband the same questions, he said almost the same thing you did. He said the pontoon rails were softer than the stainless steel rails we are accustomed to having on our previous boat.

Thank you for explaining this to me.