Fenders & Bumpers

What They Do

How They Work
Using either an inflated plastic bladder or soft foam, fenders absorb the shock of vessel movement so that neither the vessel nor what it is bumping against are damaged. They both insulate the boat from damage, and decelerate it as it moves about.

Boats that tie up to floating docks commonly set fenders just above the waterline to maintain a buffer zone between dock and boat. Boats that raft together place the fenders at the point of contact-generally where the beam is the greatest. Docking next to pilings presents a special challenge: the pilings tend to push the fenders aside, with damaging consequences. A solution is to use a fender board that spans the distance between pilings. With the fenders and pilings, a boat can ride reasonably comfortably against a wharf.

Boats with permanent slips often install dock guards or cushions so that the dock carries the protection, not the boat. Since they can be placed right at the point of contact, they won't swing out of the way. Dock cushions can prevent damage when fenders are not lined up precisely.

But what size do I buy?
Nice boats deserve generously sized fenders. We recommend large fenders because large diameter fenders are the best way to provide that protection. It is, after all, only the width of the fender that separates the boat from the dock. We like 1" of diameter for cylindrical fenders or 2" of diameter for spherical fenders for every 5" of boat length. We suggest using proper lines, or fender whips, to suspend the fenders at the correct height.

Ribbed Fenders: What's up with that?
While showing customers our vast selection of fenders, we are often asked, "why are most fenders ribbed? Is this for style or function?" We're glad you asked. Quite simply, ribs enhance strength and prevent rolling. Overall, they're just great!