Homemade Fenders for Trailer

[SGIDAVE]

I have metal fenders for my 21EC trailer. They have been servicable until recently when cracks developed at the 'bends' on both sides. Looking at them closely I found cracks along the bends on both inside and outside edges. My fenders have a flat area on top which makes them a good step up into the boat whilst it is on the trailer. In their cracked state, the 'step' is now wobbly. Here is an example of the cracks.

I know welding was one possibility but I felt it likely that type of repair would fail again in the not distant future. I ended up fabricating replacement fenders using 3/4" home store exterior grade plywood. The plywood serves as a core; there is fiberglass on both sides. I painted them with porch paint. These fenders have a board on the inside edge which serves to both reinforce the assembly as well as protect the hull from road debris thrown up by the tires. I made one for each side. After a 100 mile trip, they appear to be holding up fine. And they make a GREAT step up into the boat.

Rock and roll Fenders,

dave

 

[Scuffy]

I would look to get some 3/8 round aluminum and on each one the radiuses of you fender 4 for each fender and have an aluminum welder weld the cracks then weld the formed 3/8 rod to contour the edges of your fenders on the radius areas. That stopped mine from cracking on our Float On.
D.D.

 

[bbrh842]

I think your fenders look fantastic. Very functional also.

 

[SGIDAVE]

I would look to get some 3/8 round aluminum and on each one the radiuses of you fender 4 for each fender and have an aluminum welder weld the cracks then weld the formed 3/8 rod to contour the edges of your fenders on the radius areas. That stopped mine from cracking on our Float On.
D.D.

Hello Dave,

Yes, I saw in your Cbrats album where you had repaired yours that way. Finding someone to weld aluminum - such a small job was a chore. It requires a more expensive spool gun not the common MIG 'pusher' type gun inorder to do the aluminum. Anyway, I may just get them welded if the opportunity arises. For now I've got something that I can stand on all day and not get anymore stress cracks. I hope...

david

 

[Scuffy]

I recently added about six inches of 3/8 rod to each side of the radiuses. It cracked where the 3/8 rod stopped previously. I think it stopped it at least for now.
D.D.

 

[SGIDAVE]

I recently added about six inches of 3/8 rod to each side of the radiuses. It cracked where the 3/8 rod stopped previously. I think it stopped it at least for now.
D.D.

CONGRATS on your new tug! You bought through Marc?

dave

 

[Scuffy]

Yes Marc, the same place I bought the C-Dory, picking up April 21st 😀
D.D.

 

[daviduphoff]

Dave-

I thought of your fenders yesterday when I was driving down the road and passed a utility trailer with two Rubbermaid type storage boxes turned upside down as fenders. Think of the time you could have saved. 😉

-David

 

[SGIDAVE]

Dave-

I thought of your fenders yesterday when I was driving down the road and passed a utility trailer with two Rubbermaid type storage boxes turned upside down as fenders. Think of the time you could have saved. 😉

-David

Oy vay! WHAT was I thinking? Rubbermaid to the rescue. I'll have to try that next time.

Thanks for the tip.

Have you sold your 21EC?

/dave

 

[daviduphoff]

No.

All I can say is the repair shop and I are at odds. It's been there ten months now. The last problem was the bolt they forgot to install. I tried to explain to the shop I had put more than 400 hours on the boat and it had never made that noise. When the bolt punched a hole in the front engine cover it became obvious what the rattle was.

Oy vay! I'll never use that shop again. They did however promise that the boat would be done next week and ready for a river trial.