any ideas for using quick snaps with EZfenders?

[appaloosa]

This seems like something that somebody has probably already figured out, so maybe someone can offer suggestions.

Got a pair of EZfenders mounted on the rail of the boat, and hung the fenders with 3/8" anchor line. We only need them on the port side, to keep from tapping the dock before we drop the Sea Legs. Only issue is that we would like to remove the fenders and stow them as soon as we get away from the dock, so they're not bouncing on the side of the boat or laying on the seats if we pull them in. So, the Mrs. and I are looking for a way to easily remove the line from the EZfenders, since threading the line through every time we put them on is kind of a pain.

The length of the fender line doesn't need to change, so we're thinking of tying on some type of quick snap or carabiner, and attach it through the hole in the EZfender. Probably wouldn't need to keep the setscrew in the EZfender then. Would just need to find a snap clip that is long enough to fit through easily, since most clips & carabiners are curved too much. Other idea is to cut the threads off a stainless steel eyebolt, and put that through the hole and secure with the setscrew. Wife gave me the "you're the engineer, you figure it out" challenge, so it's my project for the week.

[Bamby]

Here's what I'd do. First get a old knife or similar and a torch and heat the knife up to cherry red and utilize it to get a clean cut on the line. Now heat it up again and kind of bob it around the cut to sort of radius it out nice and clean. Now pick out a piece of shrink tubing a few inches long that's just big enough to allow you to feed the line into it to just in front of the cut. Now evenly heat the shrink tubing so that it contracts on the line. This then should give you a firm end on the line that will allow you to easily thread it through the fender as you see fit without any other distracting hardware.

[Bryden24shp]

Your 3/8 line should go right through that hole, its oversized 1/2" diameter, I mill them .510" to keep the opening at 7/16" with the bottom of the thumbscrew showing 2 threads. Is the end of the line frayed?
I wrap the ends tight with a wrap electrical tape and cut through the tape at the very end, to get a nice clean cut, then singe it with a lighter and roll it to form a point. Or like Bamby suggests, a hot knife to trim and heat shrink tubing over the end is a great idea, too. My fender lines in my dock box at LotO were 1/2", and they slid right through by making the ends pointed. I can't see a 3/8 line not going through. The thumbscrew may come out hard, because I stake the last thread.
If its really an issue, you can use your eyebolt idea, then drill a hole through the eyebolt and put a pin clip through it to keep it in place.
Maybe take a picture of your problem so we can look at it, closer.

[peterb803]

I think I'm following what you want to do.

what comes to mind for me is....
a hitch pin with the spring clip. sort of like this one:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/l ... -8-x-2-1-2

on second thought......this isn't gonna work either.

[appaloosa]

Thanks for the tips! I knew you guys would have some good ideas. I think I'll try getting a cleaner cut on the line, and try the shrink tubing. I heated the end of the nylon line with a lighter and tried to get it formed as best as I could, but it was still tough to push through past the setscrew. Rope wanted to expand out when it hit some resistance. Cutting it cold probably didn't help that either. Shrink tubing should solve that. I'd prefer not to use additional hardware, since that just adds possibility to scratch the aluminum, etc.

[appaloosa]

Was thinking of something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-Spirit-Stra ... 78&sr=1-67

[Bryden24shp]

Here's what I was thinking...

[BobG]

Was thinking of something like this:

That's one honkin' big biner!!!

[appaloosa]

Here's what I found for a carabiner. Seems to fit good.

The other picture shows a .350" gage pin in the EZfender, just barely fits under the screw. A 3/8" pin will not fit through, since the screw cannot be turned further out because of the JB Weld. Not even close to 7/16" clearance. So if a steel pin doesn't fit, how can I expect to conveniently push a rope through there?

[hypnoj]

following; I've been wondering about this as well.

[Bryden24shp]

You can open up the thumbscrew without ruining the threads. My anodizer did a small batch for me trying to eliminate pinching the screw. I found pinching the last thread of the screw works better, because of the clearance. If you want to send those back I can shoot you off some with the pinched thumbscrew. Other wise, just twist the thumbscrews out more, or if you want to remove it, I can send you new thumbscrews. Sometimes a person does you a favor with good intentions that don't play out the best.
Let me know what you would like to do.
I do like that 'biner, though! Where did you get it?

[appaloosa]

I bought the carabiners at Menards, something like $3.99 each. The shape fits easily through the EZfender hole, and they're flat, about 1/8" thick. Ran the different ideas past The Boss, and she likes the carabiners better than feeding rope through, so I'll tie the lines to them and try that.

Using the carabiners, I think it's probably better that the screws have the JB Weld on the ends. It will provide some protection to the carabiner. If we decide to run rope through instead, I can file it off a little with a rat tail file.

[Bryden24shp]

Ok, if you need anything, just let me know, Buddy!

[RobZ71LM7]

The ones I got the last couple of weeks are the same way-too much JB weld preventing them from opening up enough. I found you can keep turning them and the JB weld will come off without damaging the threads.

[Bryden24shp]

Yep, I took what was remaining and changed them to the crimped. It was a good thought of him to do it for me. But in the end, not a good decision to go with. Glad he didn't do my whole batch! My fingers would be worn down to nubs!