Dock bumpers

[BuzBay Sailor]

fabric or rubber. Which is better/less abrasive?

I have a blue hulled boat at a dock with pilings, not a floating dock. I want to replace the bumpers on the pilings. Which should I use?

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by BuzBay Sailor

fabric or rubber. Which is better/less abrasive?

I have a blue hulled boat at a dock with pilings, not a floating dock. I want to replace the bumpers on the pilings. Which should I use?

Consider fender boards. I use synthetic decking planks between my fenders and the pilings.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[BuzBay Sailor]

fender boards on the boat or piling? Do you have any pictures of your setup?

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by BuzBay Sailor

fender boards on the boat or piling? Do you have any pictures of your setup?

I don't use them often but have a pair 6' PVC pipe fender boards. They stay on the boat centered on the piling. That lets the boat move and have 3’ of movement either direction.

Here is a helpful link.

http://www.tropicalboating.com/2010/...n-2-easy-steps
SC


SC

[Cap Erict3]

I hang 3 fenders and then the fb spans the 3. Allows for spreading the load and movement of the boat.

The best way that I know to deal with a piling or rough uneven dock.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[BuzBay Sailor]

thanks all

[Cheechako]

Key question: Floating docks or non floating?

[BuzBay Sailor]

I looked at that article. It is a good idea but my issue is not rubbing up and down while tied up. I can keep the boat off the pilings with my lines. My issue is when entering and leaving the slip. the tide can be greater than 5 knots and it swirls. Also, if the wind is blowing strong, i get swept sideways. The kids that work at the dock, even if they are there, never do what i ask them to with the lines. I often rub the pilings. I am concerned that if i use a fender board it will get caught on the plings as i scrape by.

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by BuzBay Sailor

I looked at that article. It is a good idea but my issue is not rubbing up and down while tied up. I can keep the boat off the pilings with my lines. My issue is when entering and leaving the slip. the tide can be greater than 5 knots and it swirls. Also, if the wind is blowing strong, i get swept sideways. The kids that work at the dock, even if they are there, never do what i ask them to with the lines. I often rub the pilings. I am concerned that if i use a fender board it will get caught on the plings as i scrape by.

Getting into that type of slip is tough.

A good approach, pre-rigged lines and a coordinated effort with the crew can help but everyone is going to rub sometimes.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[thinwater]

I've always been surprised that no one makes really long fenders. With normal fenders I always hesitate to hang them before approach an unfamiliar dock, since I never know what the snagging hazards are. With pilings, you have almost no chance of getting them right before hand.

I've got rub rails, so no worries.

[sparrowhawk1]

It seems to me most of the answers are missing your question. I think you will be fine with either rubber or fabric covered rubber because it's just a momentary thing when you're entering and leaving the dock, fabric is softer but it gets dirty so you have to keep it clean the vinyl rubber is maintenance free. Just make sure its white

[BuzBay Sailor]

Thanks again