Strategic Placement Of Boat Fenders: Where And How?

Boat fenders are essential for protecting your boat from damage when it bumps into things like docks, seawalls, and other boats. When deciding where to put boat fenders, it's important to consider the type of surface your boat will come into contact with. If your boat will be stationed next to another boat, a dock, or a seawall, vertical fenders are usually the best option. On the other hand, if your boat will be tied up to a dock or pier with exposed pilings or a navy-style bulkhead, horizontal placement is recommended. It's also important to use the right type of knot to secure your fenders, such as a clove hitch, a running hitch, or a round turn/half hitch. Additionally, you should aim to have at least three fenders on your boat, with one placed at the widest point of the hull and the others spaced evenly apart.

Fender placement when tied up to a dock or pier with exposed pilings

When tying up to a dock or pier with exposed pilings, horizontal placement is the best option for your fenders. You should centre the fender on the piling and tie it horizontally. If the location is rough or you will be leaving the boat unattended for a long period of time, consider using a fender board as an alternative. A fender board is a length of 2" x 6" lumber that is hung across the outside of two regularly hung boat fenders.

To set up a fender board, first, get a 4' length of 2" x 6" softwood lumber. Drill holes in either end of the board, 1.5" from the top edge if drilling through the 2" dimension, or in the centre if drilling through the 6" dimension. The diameter of the holes should be slightly larger than the line you will use to suspend the board. Finish the edges of the holes with a file and sandpaper to prevent rope chafing. Prepare two lengths of rope to tie through the holes, ensuring the line length is long enough to tie off to your cleats or stanchions and still allow the plank to reach the waterline. Before deploying your fender board, inspect the piling for any nails, eye-bolts, or other protrusions that may interfere with your board. Remember that the tide may change the board's contact point on the piling, so check up and down the piling. Remove or hammer down any obstacles or choose another docking location. To deploy, hang two fenders vertically over the side of your boat on either side of the piling, ensuring that they are no farther apart than your fender board is long. Then, hang the fender board outside of the fenders, against the piling, and tie it off.

If you are not using a fender board, you will need to use a strong boating knot such as a cleat hitch or clove hitch to secure the fender to a stanchion or rail. To tie a clove hitch, first lay the line over the bar. Then, wrap the line halfway around the rail or bar. Next, cross the line over the wrapped part and pull the working end of the line up and over the part of the line that's still laying on the rail. You should have formed an "X" with the line. Wrap the working end of the line around the rail again, completing the "X". Pull the running end through the loop you've created and tighten the knot.

Fender placement when tied up to a smooth-surface pier, bulkhead or floating dock

When tied up to a smooth-surface pier, bulkhead or floating dock, the vertical placement of fenders is the most practical and preferred method. This is because horizontal placement is more suitable when tying up to exposed pilings or a "navy-style" bulkhead.

When placing fenders vertically, ensure they are tied to something solid and low on the boat, such as a cleat, a lifeline stanchion, or a padeye. The number of fenders you use will depend on the length of your boat, but a minimum of two fenders should be used, with one placed at the widest point of the hull and one near the stern. However, the more fenders, the better—this will reduce the chance of hull damage.

For floating docks, set the fender a few inches above the water surface to prevent the dock from pushing the fenders up and out of position, and to keep the fender from getting dirty.

When tying fenders to a rail, be aware that the extra height may subject the rail and deck to undue stress if a fender gets pinched during the rolling from a large wake.

How to position fenders when rafting with other boats

When rafting with other boats, it is important to use the largest-diameter fenders you have, as different boats will rock differently and have varying freeboard and hull flare. Large-diameter ball fenders are a good choice as they are wide enough to prevent rub rails from knocking together and protect areas with protruding decks.

If possible, both vessels should have fenders, and if the boats are of different heights, one set of fenders should be placed lower and the other higher off the waterline.

The number of fenders you need depends on the length of your boat, but two to four fenders per side should work well for most boats. For boats up to 20 feet, use at least three fenders—one at the bow, one in the middle, and one at the stern. Boats over 40 feet should have four to six fenders to ensure adequate coverage.

When positioning your fenders, consider what your boat will come into contact with. If your boat will be stationed next to another boat, a dock, or a seawall, tie the fenders vertically. If your boat will be next to pilings or posts, tie them horizontally.

Fenders should hang at a height where they will come into contact with the other boat. The ideal placement is with the middle of the fender hitting the point of contact. Ensure they are high enough to protect against scraping but low enough to prevent your hull from rubbing.

To tie a fender line to a boat, the clove hitch is a good choice. This can be used to attach a fender line to a cleat on your boat or on a dock. For powerboats, you can also attach a fender line to a guard railing using a clove hitch, which can slide along the rail to adjust placement.

How to tie fenders to a cleat, stanchion or railing

To tie fenders to a cleat, stanchion or railing, you will need to follow these general steps:

First, decide whether to orient your fenders horizontally or vertically. If your boat will be stationed next to another boat, a dock or a seawall, you should tie the fenders vertically. If your boat will be next to pilings or posts, tie them horizontally.

Next, stand on the boat to adjust the fender height. Position yourself next to what you'll be protecting your boat from bumping against. Hold the fender over the boat, positioning it so that it becomes a buffer between the boat and the dock or other structure. Raise or lower the fender depending on the height of what you're protecting your boat from.

Now, you can tie a clove hitch or similar knot to secure the fender. With the fender hanging off the side of the boat, lay the working end of the line over the rail or bar. Pull the working end of the line up and over the part of the line that's still laying on the rail, forming an "X". Wrap the line around the rail again, pulling it under and halfway around. Pull the running end through the loop you've created, pulling it tight. The weight of the fender will keep the knot in place.

As an alternative, you can tie a half hitch knot. Lay the line around the rail and bring the end under the standing part of the line. Pull the end up through the loop and tighten. You can repeat this process to create several half hitches and make the line more secure.

• Choose something solid and low to tie your fenders to, such as a cleat, lifeline stanchion or padeye. Tying them low will help keep them steady and prevent them from swinging.
• Avoid tying fenders to the top of a lifeline or rail.
• Use marine-grade line and make sure it's not slippery, otherwise, the knots won't stay.
• Check the line from time to time to ensure it isn't frayed or damaged by the sun.
• If you're attaching the fenders to a lifeline, use half hitches.
• When tying to a stanchion, consider a clove hitch around the stanchion and rising rope to give the fender strong support.
• When tying to the top wire of a guard rail, a clove hitch can be used for easy height adjustment.
• For the bottom wire, a turn-round and a clove hitch around the top rail can spread the load and reduce fractures at the surrounding stanchion holes.

How to prepare fenders ahead of time

Preparing fenders ahead of time is a crucial step in protecting your boat from damage. Here are some detailed instructions on how to prepare fenders before you set sail:

Firstly, ensure you have the right type of fender for your boat and the conditions you'll be boating in. Fenders come in different shapes and sizes, such as ball-shaped or cylindrical, and each type has its own advantages. For example, large-diameter ball fenders are a good choice when rafting with other boats as they can hang from rails or cleats and prevent knockings between boats. Cylindrical fenders, on the other hand, are often used with a fender board, providing protection from exposed pilings or "navy-style" bulkheads.

Secondly, you need to prepare the lines, or "fender whips", that will be used to tie the fenders to your boat. The type of fender whip you'll need depends on the type of fender you have. For fenders with molded-in eyes at each end, you'll need two separate fender whips, each at least the length of the fender. For fenders with a cylindrical hole down the center, use one long line that is at least three times the length of the fender. Run this line through the center of the fender, ensuring equal lengths of line extend from both ends, and secure it with figure-eight knots close to the fender on either end. Use a soft nylon or spun Dacron line, as slippery lines can cause knots to come undone easily.

Thirdly, consider the type of surface your boat will be coming into contact with. This will determine whether you need to tie your fenders vertically or horizontally. If you're tying up alongside another boat, a flat dock, or a seawall, vertical fenders are usually the best option. If you're dealing with pilings or posts, horizontal fenders are more suitable.

Finally, prepare the fenders by positioning them in the best location on your boat. You'll want at least one large fender at the widest part of your boat, with additional fenders forward and aft. Secure these fenders using the fender whips, and consider using a clove hitch or similar knot to tie the fender to the boat. Remember, preparing fenders ahead of time will make it easier to adjust them as needed when you're docking your boat.

Frequently asked questions