Inflatable Fenders

I bought 2 of the Taylor 18x42" superyacht fenders about a year ago. In 6 months time, I never once had to add air to them (I deflated them one time to stow them), and we use them 24./7 and boat has been all over the Bahamas. I'm very happy with them and would buy them again. I've had issues with other brands with leaking valves, eye pulling out of fender, etc. These have all welded seams.

I would not waste money on any lightweight inflatable fenders made like a inflatable boat, seam construction is the problem. Look at Polyform F series or Taylor Tuff End fenders.

I'll add that I'm using Megafenders with good success.

I've been using this same set as primary fenders for a year now and have never had to add air to them in 6 months. They work great, are much lighter to carry around and the boat travels. We did 4 week or longer trips all over the Bahamas......abacos, harbor island, exumas 3x etc. The taylors have very good construction and welded seams. They replaced 6 smaller fenders.

This thread reminded me that I have 3 TaylorMade fenders that have been sitting outside, in direct afternoon sunlight for the past 6 years. I bought them 10 years ago. They are still inflated!

They do look lonely....

Happens I'm just now shopping for a buoy-shaped (round) deflatable fender. Our fenders now are a mixture of TaylorMade Big B and SuperGard cylindrical models, all good for normal purposes, but I'd like to have a "warping fender" (?) on board to better protect our hull near the bow in cases where I'm approaching floating docks at a sharp angle...

Seems best choices are Polyform A Series buoys (A-4 or A-5), and TaylorMade Tuff End buoys (21" or 27" dia). I would only keep it inflated during longer transits, and I'd want to deflate for storage.

Any experience deflating either of these? The A-4 or 21" diameter models would be a likely size for us, but it looks like Polyform A5 and larger have a second valve for deflating. Better? Worth going up a step just to get that valve?

BTW, we just last month got a warranty replacement for a TaylorMade SuperGard like those in YF's pic; dunoo how old, probably 17 years or so... and it was finally beginning to gradually lose a little air over time. Easy swap at the nearest West Marine.

-Chris

Polyform fenders and buoy's are about as good as they get. We have their F 7 & F11 series fenders and a 15" buoy, all very tuff. The A5 is a big buoy, the deflate valve would be easier to deflate. No experience with the Taylor Tuff End series, by the comments they appear to be similar in quality.

Was down at the boat earlier and check my fenders after looking at your pic, thought those fenders look familiar, we have one and use it near the swim platform when tied to floating docks. One of our collection of fenders left over from previous boats too, some are collecting dust like your Taylor's, but never know when they might be needed.

Polyform's are better than the Taylors. Taylors have a needle to fill and a bear to deflate. Go with Polyform A4's, they only have 1 fill, but super easy to deflate, just stick a small phillips screw driver in the fill hole (or straight) and they deflate easy. If you're in the Pompano Beach, FL area, I have 2 A4's and 2 A5's that are in good condition that I'm looking to unload.

Thanks for that; very useful. I think the A-5 would be a bit over-the-top too big for us... so good to know an A-4 can also be easily deflated. Not close to Pompano Beach, but thanks for that offer too.

-Chris

Thanks again for that; our new A-4 looks to be the right size for my intended purpose... and an A-5 would have been too huge to deal with on our tiny ship.

-Chris

The A5's are massive and a lot heavier to lug around. Way overkill for your size boat.