Best fender size for the R-23?

[Kristin Z]

Hi.

I am eagerly awaiting delivery of a new R-23, Skylark. My first powerboat after 50 years of sailing.

I am looking at fenders. On our 48-foot catamaran and the 37-foot monohull we had before, we liked using Taylor Made fenders without the end tabs - the line goes all the way through and has a stop knot at the end. Easier to clean and handle, IMHO.

Our rep at the Winter Island Yacht Yard in MA says that many tend to buy the tabbed types - G5 size - 8.8 x 26.8 inches. Looking for non-tabbed equivalents, there are two options from Taylor Made - 8x20 or 10x26. I feel like 10x26 would be overly fat for the R-23, but am not sure the 20-inchers would be long enough.

Any opinions/experience/advice?

Thanks very much. Am loving this forum!

Kristin

 

[gswearin]

Hi Kristin,
Congratulations! My R29 came with G-5 fenders and I find them big enough(I see that with the R-23 that package is an option). I do have a fatter spare mostly for springing off a dock. I've read that some of the loopers have bigger fenders (round) to help with all the locks they go through.

 

[watson1987]

My R-31 has G5s. I carry 7 onboard, and they do take up a lot of space. I think for an R-23, you'd be fine with G4s. Polyforms' own documentation says G5 is for 25ft and up

https://polyformus.com/products/g-serie ... enders-g-1 (scroll to the bottom for the table)

In terms of tabbed or untabbed, I think it's all personal preference.

 

[Larsgo]

We just got our r-23. I ordered the dockmate brand from Overton. About half the price for the equivalent size. Also a few colors to choose from.