What size boat fenders do you use for docking?

[ris]

We need to buy fenders and wondered if 6X 20 are ok or should we get 8" diameter fenders. From pictures it seems most people use 3 per side, is this enough. Also need some kind of pole for help in docking, what do you'll use? Thanks for the help.

[Russ]

I don't know what size fender I have. However, everyone's docking needs are different.

I keep fenders on the dock and not on the boat. 8" sounds about right, however I don't remember what I have. I also put dock guards on the dock so nothing hits when I come in.
Most boat ramps I use are cushioned and I don't need fenders.

Look at your needs and find a solution from there.

[NiceAft]

I like what Russ says, but you never know what kinds of docking you are gong to encounter. If you are docking against pilings, 8" may be too small. I found this out the hard way. My took quite a pounding once because the fenders were too small. The boat was against pilings and not a flat dock. The fenders kept getting moved around the piling. An 8" fender does not work well against a 10" or greater piling.

There is also the consideration of how far a gap there will be between the dock and the boat with a 10" fender.

Ray

[Herschel]

I use three 6.5"x23" fenders on each side. I attach them to the stanchions amidships and aft (26X). I leave them on all the time, and secure them to swivel snap hooks attached to the lifelines with sail thread by attaching short lines to the bottom eye that I can use to hook in when underway. When docking, a quick release of the fenders at the snap hooks and you have all six fenders down. For poles I use a combination of a standard boat hook aft (for myself) and a loop hook forward (i.e., for the Admiral) for pilings and large cleats. I would show you a picture of the rig but I have a new computer that is still "getting to know" photobucket, and we have not gotten back to the "level" of relationship my previous computer had. IOW, I can't access my pictures just yet. I did not have much success with fender management devices; I just tie the fender lines off at the height that seems best for my general use. When tying up at pilings, I wrap a standard PFD around the piling with the soft back next to my boat. Works great.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AS025HI?psc=1

[seahouse]

I use 2 - 8" in the centre, and one 6" at each end. At the dock, the 8" do 95% of the work, and I don't need to do anything differently if a storm is expected. The 6" can be shifted to the other side if coming into a marina where you aren't sure which side the dock will be on. You can vary the pressure within limits to adjust the amount of cushioning you want. My slip mate is confident enough in my abilities that he puts not fender towards my boat. I feel the same way about him, LOL.

I got the 4 fenders of this size because they will fit under the helm seat for storage (by bungees), but I have not actually done that. The rear 6" one fits nicely under the stern rail seat for sailing, which an 8" wouldn't.

Tip: Set your line length so that the entire fender is just out of the water. They will stay clean without you doing anything to them for a long time that way.

[Wind Chime]

[NiceAft]

The examples shown so far are nice, flat sided docks. Unfortunately, I have encountered docks where there are pilings on the outside of the dock, and thus create a situation where the fenders are between the flat side of the Mac, and a vertical, very solid cylinder. In those situations a cylindrical fender and a cylindrical piling tend to roll away from each other. Either the use of a fender that is much fatter than the piling, or rigging the fenders horizontally are your only choices. If rigged horizontally, the fenders have to be spaced appropriately to the pilings. Even then, you can't be sure. With those types of docks, your boat will take a pounding if the water is rough, or a large wake hits you.

The fatter the fender, the larger the space is between the boat and the dock. If rigged horizontally, that space is the diameter of the fender AND the diameter of the piling. As the recording states on the London Tube trains when entering or exiting the train car, “Mind The Gap”

Ray

[Tomfoolery]

Two words: Fender Boards.

[NiceAft]

Good thinking! How thick of a board do you use? Pine, hardwood?

Ray

[Tomfoolery]

A 2-by-whatever is all you need. PT optional. Width to suit the boat size, fender size, and span. If the span has to be excessive, use a third fender to keep the bending stresses in check. Cheap and disposable.

Or were you pulling my chain?

[NiceAft]

Nope! Quite serious.

Seeing as our boats are the same size, what are the dimensions of the boards you use?

Ray

[Obelix]

We use 2-3 8" X 20" for docking or a fender-board made of 2 6" x 18" fenders and 40" of 3" pipe.

Obelix

[Russ]

Two words: Fender Boards.

Yes! Ideal method of tying to a piling IMO.

[Russ]

Had one of these on my Hunter when in Long Island sound and often tying to a piling.
Attach to a 2x4 and you are good to go.

[seahouse]

Note that, because of the toxins that would enter the water, it is illegal to build a dock out of Pressure Treated wood in some areas (like here). But the rule might or might not apply to the wood of fender boards. Something to consider when choosing your wood.