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Fender Covers - Educate Me

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by DOCKMASTER, Jan 8, 2023.

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  1. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    I found a few threads on this subject but they had limited feedback, hoping for more.

    My 54’ Sportfish is in final stages of an Awlcraft paint job. My slip is a one side tie only and I do not have an option to center it and keep it from rubbing. It is a floating dock but there is still wind and wake action. I have dock mounted NoMar fenders but I don’t want to lay against only those. I’ve seen some plusses and minuses about using the fleece type fender covers to add additional protection. What has been your experience? I’m thinking to hang the standard fenders I have with covers on them and let them sit between the hull and dock mounted fenders. I’m in a rain forest so the covers will get rinsed regularly .

    If you have fender covers, what brand do you have and have they been good? I’m looking at something like these: https://mainecoastmarineproducts.com/fender-covers/
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Time to ask the painters and paint mfg.
    I have watched cloth covers hold dirt and do more damage than good.
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  3. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Fleece type ones pick up grit and dust, thus working like sandpaper on the hull.

    In the old days we used to have them custom-made from the Mercedes convertible top material, this was rather pricey.

    These days neoprene ones (like a wetsuit) seems to work best.
  4. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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  5. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    I hadn’t heard about neoprene covers. That sounds interesting. Also just found Fendertex which sounds like they offer neoprene cover over a lightweight fender.
  6. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    thanks but won’t work for my application. My boat is way above the weight rating plus we get very high winds on a regular basis.
  7. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    I have used custom made Sunbrella covers over the years: Works good, last a long time.. IMG_5929.jpg
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  8. Sarnico

    Sarnico New Member

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    I have Fendress covers and love them.
    https://shop.fendress.fr/gb/12-covers

    They are thick enough so if you are moored against a concrete jetty any debris is absorbed by the material rather than acting as sandpaper. Shake out once dry or use a dry brush. Come out as new when washed at 30 deg. in the washing machines. Colours last a long time in UV.
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  9. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    We use the felt type on our 60 sf. It all boils down to keeping them clean. Analogy is when you wash your car do you use a very clean, soft wash mit or dirty shop towel. Any fabric will hold dirt or even dried salt water. Keeping them clean is only way to prevent damage. As far as fabrics go, if you'd wash your boat with it use it. Sunbrella and other harder fabrics are a no go for us. Our hull is high polished alexseal in fighting lady yellow so will show any blemishes. Good luck.
    BTW we use rejex on our boats, cars and work trucks for about 6 years. Amazing stuff.
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  10. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Used thick fleece fabric covers on our permanent dock fenders for years. They worked well, just need to clean and keep any salt/dirt hosed off when cleaning the boat.
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  11. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    In a similar situation having just painted my Cabo. I use Taylor Made dock rollers in my shed with Cape Hatteras covers. Being inside don't have to worry about grime on covers and the covers make a big difference. When I am out using the boat I did purchase Polyform Elite Fender Covers. I use them when tied up to the dock for multiple days. If I am going ship side or through locks or some other dirty environment, I take the covers off and wash the fender before and after momentary use. So far that is what has worked for me. The best due diligence I found was reading and looking at pics of what higher end painted boats were doing. Paint Manf and Painters didn't seem to have much expertise in this area or didn't want the liability.
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  12. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Just one more point. These days people seem to pin the boats to the pontoons. They are better off being allowed to float in the berth and using the spring lines to do their job, just pulling them in when getting on and off.

    Sounds obvious, but dock boys and marina staff have never heard of this.
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  13. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    It's amazing to me how many large vessels aren't moored properly. From not fastened to the cleat properly, incorrect use of spring lines, under sized lines, ect.
  14. lobo

    lobo Senior Member

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    And they often are a preferred housing option for cockroach families, particularly in the tropics.
  15. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Have the painters or paint mfg responded yet?
  16. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    We had some fender covers, from Harken, for the previous boat. Like Sunbrella, though not sure that was the actual fabric. Black to match the rest of that boat's canvas, and mostly to cover up all the ugly white (not further-cleanable) fenders we inherited with the boat. The fabric didn't seem to capture crud...

    -Chris
  17. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Yup, my experience as well:
    We have been using Sunbrella fender covers for 23+ years in Florida, no negatives:
    Works good, last a long time.
    Getting a brand new boat new week, will have my canvas shop make the usual 4 covers for the usual 4 fenders.
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  18. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    My old captain, Kenny Argent, used to call these 'Goat Knots'.

    [​IMG]
  19. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    If you can't do a knot, do a lot..:D
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  20. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Wha, Wha, What the heck is that?
    I would be embarrassed, run and hide.
    bayoubud likes this.