Inflating Fenders

[nigel1]

My boat has about 8 fenders, 5 x Size 4, and 3 x Size 5.
The larger ones inflate OK, with a push in adapter, but I cannot figure out the valve on the smaller ones.
It looks like a back rubber circle about 1/4 inch diamater, with a plain white nylon "plug" within the rubber. It does not appear to be able to be prised out. It is not slotted to take a screw driver, In fact it looks fixed in place.
Anyone know anything about these fenders, and how to inflate. There is no makers name on the fender

[captain465]

Most fenders I have seen require a "pin" type inflator. The same kind that's used for footballs, basketballs, soccer bals, etc.

[NewMoon]

My Taylor-made fenders use the typical pin-shaped ball-inflator, but last summer I bought a new one with the white plug like you're describing.

The supplier used a compressor with a trigger blower attachment on the hose, but he had a cone-shaped piece of rubber around the ~ 1/3" tubular end of the thing. He unscrewed the plug, pressed the rubber cone into the hole on the fender, and pumped air.

I've been trying to come up with a similar-shaped appliance for my on-board hand pump. Any ideas?

[SabreKai]

ball point pen? Take it apart, and tape the end to your airpump.

Sabre

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by NewMoon

My Taylor-made fenders use the typical pin-shaped ball-inflator, but last summer I bought a new one with the white plug like you're describing.

The supplier used a compressor with a trigger blower attachment on the hose, but he had a cone-shaped piece of rubber around the ~ 1/3" tubular end of the thing. He unscrewed the plug, pressed the rubber cone into the hole on the fender, and pumped air.

I've been trying to come up with a similar-shaped appliance for my on-board hand pump. Any ideas?

You can get them at WW Grainger or at most auto parts.

[nigel1]

After much prodding and poking, and having others take a look, the conclusion is that the valves are "sealed for life sh¤te", and not a very long life at that.
Time to dust out the wallet

[s/v Beth]

Nigel- don't give up man! I like a puzzle like this. Put them in the cold,(maybe a freezer) so they are the most deflated they will ever be- then insert a large needle attached to a bike pump. I would spear them in the thick plastic part you mentioned.
Inflate, then superglue over the top of the tiny hole. Do not stick you finger to the super glue- use a piece of newsprint or something. Then let them inflate fully with warming.
Warning- these are just ideas- I have not done this in real life

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Nigel- don't give up man! I like a puzzle like this. Put them in the cold,(maybe a freezer) so they are the most deflated they will ever be- then insert a large needle attached to a bike pump. I would spear them in the thick plastic part you mentioned.
Inflate, then superglue over the top of the tiny hole. Do not stick you finger to the super glue- use a piece of newsprint or something. Then let them inflate fully with warming.
Warning- these are just ideas- I have not done this in real life

Finally got it sorted, had to buy, for what they were, expensive inflation valves from the makers of a certain brand of fenders. These are little brass N/R valves, with barbs.
Drilled a 4mm hole in the top of the fender, coated valve with sikaflex, and pushed valves in to place.
Now got a whole heap of workable fenders, not that they stopped the 50 foot motor cruiser from busting my stanchions when he drifted down on me on the pontoon

[Seahunter]

If you can't fill the ones with the valve (has a Phillips looking head) remove the valve with a Phillips screwdriver and wipe the rubber end with a little oil. The rubber tip is actually a valve that the compressor must overcome and opens letting the air into the fender. If the rubber has hardened they won't open.