avoiding the rash! - flat modular fenders

[Cutwater28GG]

After having the boat hull wet sanded and polished to remove fender rash. I would like to prolong the shine as much as possible.

I tried cleaning the fenders and using covers but it hasnt worked over the last two years. - even dried salt on the fender can cause rash.

has anyone tried using a modular fender (flat one) like this cheap one on Amazon?
https://www.amazon.com/Kwik-Tek-Hul...id&pd_rd_wg=D0Y69&refRID=QKWK86ND8K14GY0DA66K

I was thinking of putting the flat fender one against the hull horizontally. the flat fender doesnt move and never touches the dock. then putting a regular round fender on the outside of this flat fender between the flat fender and the dock like normal.
this way the round fender never touches the boat. the flat fender doesnt move or touch the dock.

other tips for avoiding the rash?

 

[Aadudley]

Interesting idea, I may have to try that this spring.

 

[Maggie Anne]

I've never used these but found this cautionary warning on Amazon

"Don't recommend unless you absolutely have to have a flat fender. Mind scuffed the gelcoat on my boat pretty badly. The problem is that they grab onto the dock and then rub against the boat, rather than riding with the boat or rolling against the dock. Multiply that up/down rubbing by the thousands of cycles that occur when your boat sits in a slip for a week between uses and you get a hazy, scuffed up section of gelcoat....exactly what I use fenders to try to avoid!"

 

[HRowland]

My home marina has double finger slips so I can adjust the lines port & starboard so the fenders to not actually touch the dock no matter which way the wind blows. This helps significantly. Unfortunately not all marinas are built this way.

Can you use mooring whips?

https://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/magazi ... roblem.asp

Howard

 

[nzfisher]

Like Howard, the only way I have been able to avoid the bumper abrasion has been to hold the boat in suspended bondage so it never rubs the edges of the slips. Tedious to do sometimes but not as mind numbing as sanding and rubbing out the hull every year. I kind of doubt there is a way to avoid the ubiquitous abrasives in a marine environment by using differing bumper configurations.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

yeah saw that warning but in my use case the flat fender wont be moving (in theory) as there will be another fender on top that will touch the dock. to stop the flat fender from moving I was going to mount horizontal with lines at an angle stop it from moving forward and back.

basically the reverse of this

 

[Aadudley]

Ok, I still think your idea has merit and I'm going to experiment this spring but add a little change up to it. What if we covered the pads OR the bumpers with the microfiber polishing cloth that all the old time piston heads use to polish their vintage cars? I've purchased and use them all the time. The link is below.

Comments anyone? (Boy am I asking for it or what?). LOL

https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/th ... rom=Search

 

[TwoFootitis]

Whips on a R23, I'd like to use them while docked but the location of the cleats on the R23 will not work. The forward cleat is at mid-cabin and a whip attached there would really make a mess of the boat. Anyone have experience with whips on a R23 (nothing too kinky, please).

 

[Chimo]

I think you will find the microfibre + salt will be the perfect grinder. Some other thoughts here viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17057.

 

[pleeson]

At the home dock I find tying the large round Scotsman buoys floating loosely at the dock are the best fenders. Together with enough slack in the lines the boat seems to stand off most of the time and roll from one ball to another and move off again, minimizing wear and abrasion in any particular location.

 

[bshillam]

I have seen and wanted to try a specialized fender, made out of nylon (I believe or similar material). The company claims it doesn't mar your finish. They are installed permanently at the home dock. I for the life of me can't find the company name. Usually advertise on the back pages of our boating magazines. Most important is the keep whatever against the hull clean. It's the dirt rubbing against the hull that causing micro scratches. Whips, if your marina would allow install is an excellent idea. I prefer to suspend though when in double finger locations.