Fender Covers

[Gin]

The prism polish post prompts this question from me: for those folks who are using fender covers, what brand? Taylor and Polyform both seem prevalent. They seem a bit spends, but if they protect the gelcoat, probably worth it. When we sea trialed the R27 last month at Everett, Kenny was trying some of the fender covers and wanted to see if they scratched less. Haven't asked him yet what he learned.

Meanwhile, I happened on this Sailrite do-it-yourself product for fender covers. Looks like quite a different material than the pre-made Taylor or Polyform ones, and not as sleek looking. But perhaps equally, or even more, protective of the gelcoat. Dunno. Has anyone tried these? The price is right, and they look easy enough to make for anyone with a sewing machine.

Gini

 

[HRowland]

I also have this qestion about the covers. I have Polyform G5 fenders and see that Polyform has properly sized covers available. I have heard anecdotal comments that the fabric can trap grit or salt crystals and can still cause scuffing, what are others experiences? Do you clean the covers periodically?

I am fortunate to have a double finger slip. I adjust the lines so the fenders do not keep the hull away from the fingers, lines on one side or the other will get taught just before the fender contacts. I keep the tug closer to one side so I can still easily get aboard. I enter the slip bow in and use the side to enter/exit. If I have several passengers I will remove the lines from one side to let the boat move closer to the finger for easy boarding.

Howard

 

[Gin]

Howard, I think that is what Kenny was wondering -- whether the fabric might end up trapping grit so that the covers don't spare the gelcoat as much as you might think. The material used by Sailrite seems more "felt" like (maybe similar to or the same as on trailer bunks). The tight nap might not trap grit as much, and be more easily rinsed off. Not sure that would be so. Just pondering out loud. I am thinking some kind of fender covers may be a net gain. Looking forward to hearing from those with some experience.

Gini

 

[Barry Cohen]

I used fender covers and they dulled the gel coat. They get dirty and/or covered with salt.

Getting the dark blue hull compounded and waxed tomorrow. I'll let ya know.

 

[Nellie Too]

Nita and I try to keep them out of the water and, on occasion, wash them. This seems to work quite well. Washing consists of brushing them with fresh water running on them. To each their own.
Bob

 

[knotflying]

Obviously two trains of thought here. I never got the covers because a friend of mine told me the same thing, that the covers can collect grit and also scratch the gel coat. I found that having the fender rest partially on the rub rail does help eliminate residual scratching whether you have covers or not on your fenders. Also the key is to keep those fenders clean because even without covers they collect unwanted dirt and grit.

 

[baz]

I installed fender covers and yes they need periodic fresh water dousing to remove unwanted dirt/grit/dried saltwater residues etc. They have stopped my fenders causing hull scuffing. I do not tied up the boat so tightly that there's little movement between it and the dock side. I allow plenty of movement so that most of the time the fender is just hanging and not up against the hull or the dock side. I do not allow my fenders to touch the sea water at my dock. Of course, at other marinas I may not always be able to do this.

Fenders have proven to be a solid and worthwhile investment for me in keeping the hull scuff free.

 

[Barry Cohen]

Job done. YOLO looks as good as the day she left Kent!