Thoughts on Amazon Fenders

[Mikado]

Read the buyer feedback on Amazon

[zengirl]

Originally Posted by Letterkenny

I’m getting a 35’ sailboat and there seem to be a number of 8.5”x22” or so fenders that are significantly cheaper than any from West Marine. Like $80 for 4 with lines versus $125 for Taylor Made. Any reason not to use these?

I bought 8 of these from Amazon and they are fine. I got the ones with holes on each end so I can have them horizontal too.
West Marine and Taylor prices are just ridiculous for something like fenders and a whole lot of other stuff too.

[Ranger2727]

You get what you pay for ! The cost of gel coat repair will far out way the difference in brand costs. Bigger is better, keep your boat away from the dock and pilings, a longer fender can be hung horizontally like at a piling. A 22" x 8" will not provide adequate fendering for a 35' vessel. Think at least 13" x 30". Remember that the advertised length includes the rope tying eye unless you get the kind where you feed the line thru the center of the fender which is good.

[bmz]

Originally Posted by Ranger2727

You get what you pay for !

The problem with that philosophy is that if people really believe it, it tends not to be true. West Marine tends to be expensive on most items. I usually shop at Bacons in Annapolis for approximately 20% less than West Marine. Bass Pro shops are also a much better buy for fenders.

[Steve Bean]

Doesn't West Marine have a "price match" policy?

[mjscottinnc]

Originally Posted by Ranger2727

You get what you pay for !

Not always true, new and better manufacturing processes, lower costs for raw materials, automation efficiencies result in new lower cost products. If the above statement were true, millions of new products would have never existed.

The idea that ‘the old way is the best way’ is rubbish.

Some cases yes, some cases no. Take the time to do a specification evaluation comparing apples to apples. Then make your best decision. Always works for me.

[zengirl]

Originally Posted by Ranger2727

You get what you pay for ! The cost of gel coat repair will far out way the difference in brand costs. Bigger is better, keep your boat away from the dock and pilings, a longer fender can be hung horizontally like at a piling. A 22" x 8" will not provide adequate fendering for a 35' vessel. Think at least 13" x 30". Remember that the advertised length includes the rope tying eye unless you get the kind where you feed the line thru the center of the fender which is good.

Not always true, I got a great deal. I bought 28" and got the feed through. I just looked on Amazon and they don't have the ones I bought. Kind of like Sam's or Costco. Sometimes they have it, sometimes not.

[Letterkenny]

It just seems like fenders are ridiculously overpriced for what they are and there has to be a better option. For those that have had problems with Amazon, I’m surprised. I’ve never had issues returning things.

[bmz]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

Doesn't West Marine have a "price match" policy?

True, but that usually just increases the time and effort in purchasing an item.

[jmschmidt]

They probably all come down the same assembly line.....in China.

[cruising_ollie]

Check out defender.com. Taylor Made Hull Gard Inflatable Vinyl Fender - 10.5" x 30"- Sand, $57.99. Boat Size: 35' - 50'

[Letterkenny]

Well since posting this link, they sold out. Guess we will have some first hand users of these soon.

[zengirl]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

Doesn't West Marine have a "price match" policy?

Not anymore. They had it for awhile when they were sinking and then stopped it. Also the product code had to match and a lot of times it didn't.

[Jdeuel]

I bought the 8.8” x 26.8” Polyform G5 fenders on Amazon about a year ago and they’re holding up beautifully. At $51 they’re about $4/each more than I paid, but shipping is still free.

[Spot]

Originally Posted by sail sfbay

Congratulations on your new sailboat!!

The cheaper ones are fine especially if you tie up the boat in a two-fingered slip do the boat never touches the fingers. Personally I like the quality of Taylor Made fenders and have used them for many years with Cape Hatteras Marine fender covers personalized with the boat manufacturer / model and boat name.

https://www.capehatterasmarine.com/c.../fender-covers

Those covers look nice. They mention the use of recycled materials too.

Is there something special about the fabric to make it be non-marring?
Thanks.