Fender upgrade....what's the bad boy setup for raft-up protection

[Bigbore500r]

I have some average size fenders / bumpers that I use for docking / side-tying, but I still feel like I could use a couple more inches of clearance - mainly when tying up with other boats. I don't have my boat here to measure, but I think my fenders are probably 6-8" in diameter.

What's everyone using?
-size
- where did ya get 'em
- what's the "ultimate" setup?
-price?

I'd like to upgrade before desert storm so I can relax a bit and not have a heart attack when big wakes hit while tied up. I've never had an issue but I feel like it's gonna happen sooner or later if I don't get some bigger ones.

I saw some massive suckers the size of a damn beer keg on a boat @ last years DS raft-up...I bet they work great but where the hell do you store them????

 

[RiverDave]

You can never have big enough.. Especially if you are going to be tying up at the rdp raft up deal.. I saw a couple boats get some damage last year..

I will take some pics of what I run on my Schiada in a little bit when the hangover goes away and I actually get out of bed.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Seems like the 10.5" x27" ones would be a good size. I did some reading and there are some diagrams that show 6" diameter fenders in the middle @ max beam width....then put the big dogs towards the ends to keep the boats from rocking away from each other

 

[CoolCruzin]

Seems like the 10.5" x27" ones would be a good size. I did some reading and there are some diagrams that show 6" diameter fenders in the middle @ max beam width....then put the big dogs towards the ends to keep the boats from rocking away from each other

I like that idea

 

[shintoooo]

I have some of these and they work great. I use them with a combination of the traditional ones.

http://amzn.com/B000OF72TI

 

[Spot]

I have some of these and they work great. I use them with a combination of the traditional ones.

http://amzn.com/B000OF72TI

Bass Pro sometimes has a smoking deal on these. If you're near a Bass Pro or Cabelas you may want to check there.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I have some of these and they work great. I use them with a combination of the traditional ones.

http://amzn.com/B000OF72TI

I was looking @ those...
Do you just put them on for extra protection, or do u actually a tie a boat against them ?

I figured you just hung 4 chicks off each side and called it good [emoji3][emoji24]

 

[sirbob]

I bought mine because I found a size and color that would fit in the boat for storage easily and matched the boat - the brand is Taylor - the size is too small.

Two things to consider

1) storage - if you have a shit ton of storage or a really big locker get big balls ([emoji12]) seriously, the big round ones are the most functional in a side to side tie / raft up when wakes may come.

2) the shape - some are low profile and flat (great for dock with little or no wakes) typical shape -long round ones (work great for docks with some wake) - and some are big round balls - I found these work best if there is a lot of wake and boat to boat movement, like when a roller goes past/ under boats side tied. When using the balls, tie them lower - mid hull.

It seems the other kind, people tend to tie them higher so the rub rails to don't hit each other.

 

[shintoooo]

I was looking @ those...
Do you just put them on for extra protection, or do u actually a tie a boat against them ?

I figured you just hung 4 chicks off each side and called it good [emoji3][emoji24]

I use them for extra protection and then I tie myself to the chicks.

 

[plaster dave]

I use these.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I have some of these and they work great. I use them with a combination of the traditional ones.

http://amzn.com/B000OF72TI

This is what I use. But then again, us low freeboard guys (rubrail MIGHT be above the water with a few people in the boat) don't have many options and I have to be more concerned about damaging the deck of my boat from it going underneath a dock or something.

 

[MalibuKen]

Last year I did like RD said, and went bigger. I bought the G5 size, 9 x 27 from amazon. I may get a couple center hole ones of the same size, like PlasterDave posted, and try them too. I was using the one size smaller, and now will have both on hand. I found some dings in my boat last year when I was cleaning, which prob meant the boat next to me may have got it as well. I try to check when leaving the raft but did not look last time.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Hands down the best you can get. Deflate to near nothing. A little hand pump inflates them in minutes.

 

[McRib]

Last year i bought the BIG ones that bass pro sells. They are way bugger than i need but they worked GREAT! kept a good 6 to 8 inches of space between me and the boats to either side of me.

 

[McRib]

I got 4 and some new ropes (which sucked) for like 75 bucks.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Last year i bought the BIG ones that bass pro sells. They are way bugger than i need but they worked GREAT! kept a good 6 to 8 inches of space between me and the boats to either side of me.

What diameter and length are the big ones there?

 

[McRib]

What diameter and length are the big ones there?

8x20 I believe. bass pro has an asile in the boat dept with like 5 sizes to choose from. I can't remember if I bought the biggest or one size down. I'll be out in havasu valentines weekend. I can measure them. if you go to bass pro though you can probably figure it out straight away.

 

[McRib]

they look alot like what plasterdave posted except the rope hole protrudes from the top with an eye hole.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I have a couple 8X20 fenders and they work great for tying to boats of varying heights

 

[NicPaus]

I was looking at these, half the price of the G 6. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008IGRVBY?keywords=boat fender&qid=1454301687&ref_=sr_1_4&sr=8-4

 

[Zack @ Bling Sauce]

Hands down the best you can get. Deflate to near nothing. A little hand pump inflates them in minutes.

These are popular with the roll bar boat crowd where spacing between rafted boats is especially important to separate towers and board racks. Same concept as the hippity hops but softer material.

http://exileaudio.com/store/index.php/install-accessories/exile-buoy-ball-fender.html

 

[Outdrive1]

Bigger is better. Get as big of a fender as you can carry.

 

[LuckyStrike]

Bigger is better. Get as big of a fender as you can carry.

X2

 

[sirbob]

One other thing about being side by side - I have found that when I side tie to another boat I like my lines loose.

Some people seem to tie really tight to the next boat. I like to have big fenders and loose tie - when you are too tight, rub rails pop the rubber inserts out and you put way too much pressure on the cleat mounts. Tie it loose and let the boat move (if you have plenty of fender - let the fender do the work)

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

One other thing about being side by side - I have found that when I side tie to another boat I like my lines loose.

Some people seem to tie really tight to the next boat. I like to have big fenders and loose tie - when you are too tight, rub rails pop the rubber inserts out and you put way too much pressure on the cleat mounts. Tie it loose and let the boat move (if you have plenty of fender - let the fender do the work)

Good tip. I had the rubber pop out once.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

One other thing about being side by side - I have found that when I side tie to another boat I like my lines loose.

Some people seem to tie really tight to the next boat. I like to have big fenders and loose tie - when you are too tight, rub rails pop the rubber inserts out and you put way too much pressure on the cleat mounts. Tie it loose and let the boat move (if you have plenty of fender - let the fender do the work)

Rubber pops out of mine all the time. Lose, tight, doesn't matter. Then again, low freeboard like I've said so that doesn't help.

 

[HitIt]

I use these that are designed for low freeboard boats. My boat is lower than a lot of others so they work well for me. I use them with other, larger bumpers. (Pic is not my boat):



http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Made-Products-Freeboard-Fender/dp/B000MJJMTY

You can also get them at West Marine.

 

[TLAW719]

Mine are 8.5x26. I picked them up at west marine. Like these but mine are all blue.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/taylor-made--super-gard-fender-2-pack-8-1-2-x-26-swirl-black--16359432

 

[sirbob]

Rubber pops out of mine all the time. Lose, tight, doesn't matter. Then again, low freeboard like I've said so that doesn't help.

you just need to use bigger balls and hang them lower

 

[Flying_Lavey]

you just need to use bigger balls and hang them lower

I see what you did there. Lol!

Actually though, I've found balls and cylindrical bumpers don't work worth a crap on my boat cause they float and then just end up sitting on top of the deck

 

[sirbob]

Low freeboard ... Good news / bad news [emoji6]

 

[Enen]

Anyone use these?
[video=youtube_https;lJNR3Js5CRg]https://youtu.be/lJNR3Js5CRg[/video]