Looks like it s the new thing these days, or maybe it s a Miami thing. Driving around with your fenders out flapping in the breeze or dragging in the water. nowadays over half the boats we see have at least a couple of fenders out... worst many of these of larger boats with paid crew. Not just your typical family 40 foot cruiser. Are these part of some new yachting standards like wearing wife beaters or showing your underwear?
Not just a Miami thing. Seeing it all over S FL. Fenders breaking up sheer lines might be an eyesore, but wakes crashing against boats docked in idle speed zones is becoming a problem. It’s not just inexperienced operators, it’s a general lack of regard for others.
As you have pointed out many times before, there is no access from the deck to recall the fenders on some new designs. Further issues include SFB attitudes; Out of sight, Out of mind. We may need them there when we return to the dock. To much effort; It was hard enough cutting the dock lines off. To much effort; Can not even turn their head around to look over their wake and notice the hand signals coming their way.
I would add non existent flag etiquette to the above, and echo Pascal’s thought regarding professional crew often being just as guilty. Best, Maldwin
Charters do that so they're off of the deck and out of the way. And you know, in Miami with an illegal charter with 12 guests on board.....it's hard to move around to stow them......
Lol. Good point. That said, I ve pretty much always found a way to either not use fenders at my home slip or if I really have to as on a tee head I set the fenders on the dock or pilings so we don’t have to deal with them when leaving. makes it a lot easier to come and go
never !!! This is a sign of mere laziness with no attention to the side of the boat that gets dirty and damaged by the blows to its side during the voyage. Proper sailing, After leaving port the fenders are pulled and placed on the deck and secured. Before reaching the next docking they are released out to the side of the tacht you see this a lot in the Med and you can find quit a bit of lost floating freely n the water
Not long back I told a broker had he posted a photo of my boat on a for sale listing he would lose the listing.
When I see fenders out and flopping I think of the skier with the jacket unzipped and flying like a cape as they send it straight lining in a, wait for it... snow plow. I don't really like the flopping fenders look, I don't think I would like the sound on the hull, I don't get it.