Best fenders?

M

mchad

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I am about to permanently mount fenders to my dock, and have to go buy them. I have always used Taylor Made superguard fenders in the past, but over the last few years, have had a couple go bad after a very short time.

The manager of my local boaters world (who I know personally) told me that they are not carrying them in the stores anymore because they have been having a high defective return rate on them... So if that is the case, what is the best quality standard fender out there? By standard, I mean with two eyes on the end, as opposed to hole thru the middle...

Thanks
 
First of all you can not mount fenders to your dock. A dock is water with piers or wharves next to it. Assuming you mean pier not dock you should look for fenders that have a safety valve in them so the do not burst under high impact conditions.Check Boatfix for them.Sorry i do not remember the brand, but i am sure someone can jump in here and tell you.
 
I did not find fenders with releif valves in my search but I did find Polyform fenders and found out they are of one piece construction and widely used commercialy and may be seen on boats featured on "The Deadliest Catch". Hope some of this helps. Jim
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ironworks

First of all you can not mount fenders to your dock. A dock is water with piers or wharves next to it. Assuming you mean pier not dock you should look for fenders that have a safety valve in them so the do not burst under high impact conditions.Check Boatfix for them.Sorry i do not remember the brand, but i am sure someone can jump in here and tell you.

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Uhh, thanks for the correction. Never before has anyone misunderstood the term "dock" before. In fact the mirriam-webster dictionary defines "dock", noun, as: a place (as a wharf or platform) for the loading or unloading of materials b: a usually wooden pier used as a landing place or moorage for boats.

So it appears that my colloquial use is ok, especially in this forum, where no doubt everyone knew what I was referring to...

But again, thanks for pointing it out.

As far as polyform, yes, I have seen the popularity of them in commerical use, so that's probably the way I am going to go.
 
I'm not sure of the correct description of dock ether....We use a "freeboard" fender mounted to our slip. - a freeboard fender is typically used on pontoons or boats with low freeboard. Our dock/slip at our marina has a rail system for mounting cleats or fenders....

see pic below.

DSC00074.jpg
 
mchad

Two years ago I installed 3 of the 12" "Tuff End" round fenders from West Marine on my "dock/pier" and they work great. The rope hole in the top is very durable and the fenders take a lot of abuse. You can adjust the air pressure with a handy valve. They are available in white or orange.

I purchased six of the Taylor-Made "Big B" fenders to keep on my cruiser, and every one of them has gone bad at least twice in the 2 years I have owned them. West Marine has replaced them every time without any trouble but the fenders have not been very reliable.
 
lambeck4, that's a nice arrangement. I like the rail mount aspect. Those freeboard fenders work perfectly there. Looks good too.

folieadeux, yes, I have come to the conclusion that the TM fenders are not reliable enough. I am about to order some Polyform F02 fenders for my "fender buds" which are arriving on Friday. I am actually excited not to have to toss fenders over anymore!
 
Ironworks................
Don’t you think that was a pretty arrogant remark. If I was the guy you were talking to Id be pissed. You are a very condescending person.
 
I have used polyform G5's the last couple years, no problems. Lambeck...nice dock!!! Boat too!! Neal...hate to hear that, I just bought 4 of the Big B 10" from boatfix.
Good luck
Niles
 
Niles

Maybe you will have better luck than I have had. I will say that Taylor-Made has never hesitated to replace the fenders promptly.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

Ironworks, having a bad day?????

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We all have bad days sometimes...

Perhaps I should have said "Finger" instead of "Dock".

That way we would have known exactly what "finger" I was talking about... ;-)
 
Excuse me, please pass the Grey PouPon......or is it Mustard where you come from?
 
quote:
Originally posted by nwaring

I have used polyform G5's the last couple years, no problems. Lambeck...nice dock!!! Boat too!! Neal...hate to hear that, I just bought 4 of the Big B 10" from boatfix.
Good luck
Niles

Click to expand...


I have never had a problem with Taylor Made. The inflate feature is great. One of mine that came with the boat and was propably as old as the boat just cracked at the point where the line comes out of the fender. I called Taylor Made and explained the situation expecting a TS answer. Never happened. I was pleasantly asked "What size and what color sir? I'll pull one from inventory and have it shipped as soon as we recieve yours." Total cost of replacing and 8"x26" fender was about $10.50 UPS. Total time less than a week.
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

quote:
Originally posted by nwaring

I have used polyform G5's the last couple years, no problems. Lambeck...nice dock!!! Boat too!! Neal...hate to hear that, I just bought 4 of the Big B 10" from boatfix.
Good luck
Niles

Click to expand...


I have never had a problem with Taylor Made. The inflate feature is great. One of mine that came with the boat and was propably as old as the boat just cracked at the point where the line comes out of the fender. I called Taylor Made and explained the situation expecting a TS answer. Never happened. I was pleasantly asked "What size and what color sir? I'll pull one from inventory and have it shipped as soon as we recieve yours." Total cost of replacing and 8"x26" fender was about $10.50 UPS. Total time less than a week.

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Oh I definitly agree that their customer service is excellent, but I would rather not have a fender that fails on a Monday and I don't notice it until Friday night when I get to the boat... I see some old salts at my marina that are using fenders from the 19th century, yet two of four of my Taylors have failed in as many years...
 
What do you all mean when you say they "failed". I have the 8 x 20 TMs with the hole all the way through. They slowly lose air, where I have to top them off with air about once a month. Is this considered normal? Or are these considered "gone bad"?

Thanks.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chesagansett

What do you all mean when you say they "failed". I have the 8 x 20 TMs with the hole all the way through. They slowly lose air, where I have to top them off with air about once a month. Is this considered normal? Or are these considered "gone bad"?

Thanks.

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If I had to add air monthly, I wouldn't be happy with them. Mine failed to hold air past a week. My servicable fenders hold air all season...
 
we sell PolyForms at work, and have never had to replace one. They have a lifetime warranty just like TM, but you never need to use it.
 
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