Fender issue - looking for suggestions

[ajcampen]

On lakes that don’t fluctuate up and down like the damed lakes, I think these mission fenders would be great on the logs that get stuck in the ground to keep boat off dock. See example of logs/post in pic below. It is done this way because most of the docks sit on the bottom and you don’t want boats pushing them around

[trs23]

We had a similar problem rafting with other boats.

Purchased two of the polyform A3 bouy and no more problems!
Taylor Made Products 1149 Tuff End Inflatable Vinyl Boat Buoy, White, 18 inch Diameter



Warning they are big! Two of them fit comfortably in our A25 port side lift up seat and on our R30 they fit fine in the rear floor storage compartment.

[jhnmdahl]

I always liked Polyform better - they have quite a variety in size, shape, and color. See:
https://www.polyformus.com/boat-fenders/f-series
for some examples.

John

[trs23]

Sorry yes! We have polyform too. Not sure why Taylor made came in there.

[MikeBo]

These things are awesome. I have them on all my fenders. Allows you to clip them anywhere on the boat, cleats/windshield/towers/rails and adjust height quickly. It now takes my Wife about 2 minutes to get all the fenders out when we're coming in to dock versus about 10 minutes before.

https://www.amazon.com/Davis-Instrument ... B000LCA9LW

Thank You, just ordered

[BrockA25]

I tie up with many different boats.... Wake boats, Regals, Cobalts and pontoons. I struggled for a while trying to figure out a solution that could take some waves, not damage the boat and also not scar or scuff the gel coat. My final solution was I have 4 big 8"x24" fenders along with 2 of the smaller 6" x18" fenders, and I have fender covers on all of them. I wont even let someone else tie up unless my own fenders are out. The fender covers were a little pricey, but they are awesome. I can tie up all day, and never get the rubbing marks anymore, from a raw rubber bouy rubbing on the gelcoat all day. The 2 smaller fenders I use are just helpful when I tie up with boats that dont line up very well . They eat up lots of storage space, but well worth the investment IMO if you tie up with other boats. I also have the Cobalt quick connect bouy clips, but like a previous response said, they just dont line up well with everything, and do not let you raise the bouy high enough. Hope this info helps, I know I have spent many nights buffing bouy marks out, and no longer have too.

[ryandmartin]

I tie up with many different boats.... Wake boats, Regals, Cobalts and pontoons. I struggled for a while trying to figure out a solution that could take some waves, not damage the boat and also not scar or scuff the gel coat. My final solution was I have 4 big 8"x24" fenders along with 2 of the smaller 6" x18" fenders, and I have fender covers on all of them. I wont even let someone else tie up unless my own fenders are out. The fender covers were a little pricey, but they are awesome. I can tie up all day, and never get the rubbing marks anymore, from a raw rubber bouy rubbing on the gelcoat all day. The 2 smaller fenders I use are just helpful when I tie up with boats that dont line up very well . They eat up lots of storage space, but well worth the investment IMO if you tie up with other boats. I also have the Cobalt quick connect bouy clips, but like a previous response said, they just dont line up well with everything, and do not let you raise the bouy high enough. Hope this info helps, I know I have spent many nights buffing bouy marks out, and no longer have too.

Are you using the Cobalt nylon fender covers, or something else? I’ve also been considering fleece fender covers — although I’ve heard it could be an issue in salt water, with the salt sticking to the cover and making the abrasion issue worse.

[akorcovelos]

I use the Cobalt covers and they are awesome. The Chain beats the crap out of most docks, and they haven’t left one mark on the hull.

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[ryandmartin]

Thanks, that’s where I was leaning so that’s helpful. Maybe they’ll be a Father’s Day present?

[cmattj]

+1 on Cobalt nylon.

I used the soft fleece covers as they felt wonderful.. But after a few wooden docks and the wood splinters that you can’t clean all out... it was marking the hull.
No scuffs so far.

[BrockA25]

Sorry for the slow response, I did not reply due to not logging in for a while. To the person that asked about what brand of fender covers I use, I use the "Polyform" brand and you can find them on Amazon or the direct website. On my 2nd season with them, they are very durable and well made, and I have been thru 3 brands. There is a cheaper brand out there, dont remember the name brand, but were only $100 for 4 big 8" bumpers. They were super soft like a fleece blanket, they worked ok, but will not last more than one season, soak up water quickly if they touch the water in anyway, and snag on docks and pretty much anything else. The other brand that is great is the "Colbalt brand". Some fellow Cobalt owners we tie up with have them. They are smoother, do not absorb water, built very sturdy and will last. I boat on pretty clean fresh water lakes, so I do not know how any of them would hold up to salt water. If I had to make a choice for salt water use covers, it would have to be the Cobalt brand or the Polyforms. These two do not soak up any water, and can easily be cleaned in a washing machine in cold water.

[SAB220]

Mission Fenders - I played around with my one mission fender today. They seemed like a good idea. if you need to bumber something inches away from a free cleat(s) mission fenders are a good option. If you have a free cleat(s) and the dock you need to bumber is 12" below the cleat I wouldn't recommend mission fenders. The fender needs to be almost on top of the cleat. If you do a lot of party tie-ups then a mission fender also is a good option like the post above stated. Also don't like the fender plastic vinyl straps - the weather would make them brittle.

[Bfun220]

Mission Fenders - I played around with my one mission fender today. They seemed like a good idea. if you need to bumber something inches away from a free cleat(s) mission fenders are a good option. If you have a free cleat(s) and the dock you need to bumber is 12" below the cleat I wouldn't recommend mission fenders. The fender needs to be almost on top of the cleat. If you do a lot of party tie-ups then a mission fender also is a good option like the post above stated. Also don't like the fender plastic vinyl straps - the weather would make them brittle.

Thank you for the update.

[JTinMO]

I haven't found anything yet that 4 of the 8" Polyform F2s with their Polyfom branded covers won't work with. I just added the covers this spring so the jury is still out, but they are VERY well made. I always have 2 more Polyform G4 fenders in the boat as well if ever needed. The 8" size seems to keep the boat off of any dock I am tied to very well. A 6" fender did not give me the warm fuzzy feeling if waves come through.

That all being said, we have no boating friends so no one ever ties up with us. So can't comment on that part.