Rope fenders instead of fender boards?

[alkorn]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but concluded it was a design issue.

Generally when tied up to a dock with exposed pilings people use two fenders with a fender board between.

What about using a long rope fender festooned horizontally so that it protects the boat in the area of the piling? It would be easy to set up and in a small boat you wouldn't have the issue of where to stow the fender board.

Is there anyone out there who does this? How well does it work?

[62816inBerlin]

With a very thick rope (2" or more) it might work. Here in inland waters, such arrangements do accumulate algae/moss very quickly if we have a spell of wet weather, though. I have never seen a plastic fender coated in green algae, but even my mooring ropes have acquired such when the boat wasn't moved for more than two weeks running. :-{(

Gernot

[JimConlin]

Rope fenders quickly become habitat.

[htom]

I would think that a folding fender board (perhaps with an additional fender) would work better.

[Thorne]

I use rope fenders when trying for the uber yare look, but they have certain drawbacks, including soaking up a lot of water and being coarse so they can scratch paint.

Your idea seems like it would fail when the horizontal fender rolled up the hull or dockside/piling with wave action. If you made it a mat it might stay in place better...

[James McMullen]

Rope fenders are perfect for the few days during a wooden boat show. . . .and then I put the inflated plastic kind that actually works back on.

[Woxbox]

I don't know, but I love the use of the world "festooned."
I think I need to go out and festoon my boat, too. ;)

[Wiley Baggins]

I would think that a folding fender board (perhaps with an additional fender) would work better.

I would think a pretty robust and secure hinge and pin would be required for this alternative.


Rope fenders are perfect for the few days during a wooden boat show. . . .and then I put the inflated plastic kind that actually works back on.

One could tie a cover, rather than get the covers color-matched to the dodger, but there is the issue of scratching that Thorne mentioned.

[htom]

I was thinking of something like:


F | F | F
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
F nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn F
F | F | F



Three, say eight-foot 2x4, with 1/2" carriage bolts for pins two feet from the ends, and three fenders.

[Bernadette]

you need to use a "barge board" (as i call them) for any mooring you do against jetties with piles etc. this allows for rise and fall of the tide and fore and aft movement on your springers. any bit of rubbish timber will do provided it wont split lengthwise and its got some spring in it it for compression when squeezed up against the piles. ive found 2 fenders (one at each end) are enough. the board only needs to be about 6' to 8' x 8" but size is largely dependent on how you intend to secure your vessel.
bernadette

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

.
I'm with Bernadette (except I'd call them springs, not springers.) You can make a good job of them, carve your boat's name on them etc, and really tart them up so they look good -- part of the vessel's accoutrements rather than just an afterthought.

Mike

[CJ]

An idea I have yet to try was to buy a couple 4 foot lengths of rubber dock bumper (the double-bump kinda stuff you can buy in 12 foot lengths) and 4 heavy nylon straps with either velcro or a buckle similar to a diver's weight belt. I'd pass each strap through each end of both lengths of bumper by slicing a slit for the strap to pass through, and when you find yourself in one of those 'protruding piling' situations, strap the bumper vertically to the pilings most likely to come into contact with your vessel. You might even be able to use that canvas covered rub rail stuff that Hamilton Marine sells.

At least in my mind, this would work well and avoid the situation of strategically placed fenders either sliding or rolling out of position and they'd be easier to store than long fender boards.

When someone tries this, let me know how it works...

CJ

[jonboy]

Blimey,you should run a creative writing course..if I may be so bold as to quote you Stinkpotter,..? 'rubber dock bumper the double-bump kinda stuff'... 'slicing a slit for the strap to pass through'...'canvas covered rub rail ' This poetry my man. You weren't John Masefield in a previous incarnation..'Dirty british coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack bluffing through the channel on a mad March day' or something like that anyway.
I look forward to future posts.

[CJ]

Jonboy:

I also look forward to future posts where you might express yourself in a more grammatically correct fashion. I think you may possibly be on the wrong forum. However, before you go, perhaps you could astound us with some intellectual witty prose.

I offer my apologies to alkorn for tarnishing an otherwise interesting and constructive topic.

CJ

[oznabrag]

Jonboy:

I also look forward to future posts where you might express yourself in a more grammatically correct fashion. I think you may possibly be on the wrong forum. However, before you go, perhaps you could astound us with some intellectual witty prose.

I offer my apologies to alkorn for tarnishing an otherwise interesting and constructive topic.

CJ

Hey CJ, Jonboy's kinda new around here, but I think he was truly attempting to pay you a compliment.

You do have a way with words.

John T

[jonboy]

I will try again.

May your god strike me sightless! It is my considered opinion that the content of your response to master Alkorn is worthy of a change in career, unless you are already a professional wordsmith. I beg your permission to quote some phrases from the text as they reminded me of the work of an erstwhile poet Laureate, noted for the nautical theme of his better known poems. 'slicing a slit for the strap...' and ' canvas covered rub rails...' are delightful examples of assonance and alliteration.
There are people who believe in a spiritual continuation after our mortal frame ceases to function, and even some who avow that a later born person is capable of the deportment and experiences of one of these lumps of meat that no longer exists. You exhibit compelling evidence of the latter. I await with baited breath for further examples of your literary prowess.
I remain yours sincerely,
kinndanewroundhere Jonboy.

What's the difference between a duck? one of them's both the same.