Buy a Fender Board?

[zeehag]

it is always sooo easy to make that which many feel need to overpay for someone else to screwup.
most entertaining

[deblen]

Originally Posted by grantmc

Building a fender board is a really simple boat project. And as others have said 200x50x3000+ crappy old softwoord is fine (we use pine here in NZ), with a couple of short bits of old rope. (By the way, when is the US going to join the 21st century and ditch its antiquated English measurement system? )

But they are awesome for nasty wharves covered in shell fish, and any other crud that can stick out from a jetty.

I carry mine on the boat all the time, just tied to the life lines, and use it quite frequently.

Just having a little fun here.
Canada went "officially" metric about same time as US & we had & still have the same problem.All our products were & many still are produced in inch & fraction sizes. A sheet of plywood is still 4' x 8' or you wouldn't be able to fit it to an existing house for example. Nuts & bolts are still inch sizes though there is a healthy mix of metric thrown in to cause confusion.
It takes about 15 SAE wrenches to cover 1/4"(6mm) to 1 " (25mm). In metric,you need a wrench every mm-5,5.5,6,7,8,9...........20,21,22,etc-total of 24 wrenches-to cover the same size span. Also,there are 3 thread pitches as opposed to SAE's 2. I was told & have noticed that french countries prefer the odd metric sizes & english/scandinavian the even sizes (or vs/vs). Either way I need a truckload of SAE & Metric wrenches today.
I was about 25yrs old at the change over & had already memorized (in my minds eye) what 4'x 8' , 2" x 4" (1 1/2 x 3 1/2") , 32deg F & a 9/16" nut looked/felt like.
No problem using the metric system-just difficult & time consuming VISUALLY converting to it.
My 40 yr old kids are more positive about it but still have to work with inches. Maybe there is hope for my grandchildren.

Cheers/ Len

[hellosailor]

What do you do if you need a metric fender board and your lumber yard only sells 1x12 and other "imperial" lumber?


For that matter, can you hand a metric fender board using 5/8" line? Don't you need metric line to make it hang right?

[darylat8750]

We use the PVC pipe also but don't bother with end caps. Excellent for locks to keep the fenders from getting caught in recesses in the walls. Cheap enough to give to another cruiser going the other way when through the canal or just toss.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

What do you do if you need a metric fender board and your lumber yard only sells 1x12 and other "imperial" lumber?

Use metric sand paper.


For that matter, can you hand a metric fender board using 5/8" line? Don't you need metric line to make it hang right?

Measure rope with a meter stick.

[JPA Cate]

Thinwater,

I am finding it hard to believe your neighbor "has no tools." Even when I was single, I had a drill motor and drill bits, and tools for working on my car! He needs his present fenders, a plank, holes, and old rope! Show him! Please!

It will be a kindness to both him, and me: I'll sleep better!

Ann

Tool use may be unfamiliar to him. It was to me, but it can be learned.

[fjwiley1]

Originally Posted by J Clark H356

Go to Lowes and buy 5 foot long 3 inch PVC, two end caps and some 1/2 inch nylon rope. Glue the end caps on, drill 5/8 inch holes through the PVC and you are done. No problem to store, lightweight, and rolls up and down piles.Simpliest and best solution.

I too use this method....in my opinion the best thing going....no rust,no rot, no bend. Like anything you "tie" with, watch for line chafe...
I place 2 large Fenders vertically against my boat and the PVC rides up n down my dock pilings...😎

[KidSheeleen]

Go to lumber yard purchase boards of length desired. Check with local Fire Depts. and ask for old fire hose. Attach hose to board on both sides of board, now have a cushioned fender board.

[Nicholson58]

Big ones came on our boat. Teak 2" thick X 6" wide X 5' long with 3/4 inch diameter SS rods embedded on one side and PVC pumpers on each end.

[darylat8750]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Big ones came on our boat. Teak 2" thick X 6" wide X 5' long with 3/4 inch diameter SS rods embedded on one side and PVC pumpers on each end.

Wow! I've slept in a house in Central America that probably cost less! One classy boat!

[Cap Erict3]

I use a synthetic 1"x5"x6' deck board. 3 Years old and looks new.

[GeWil]

Hard to believe. A fender board could start such a thread. Walk down the beach, walk around a boat yard. Presto. You have a piece of lumber, use your imagination and it is a fender board. Plastic pipe, brittle, hard shock equal big cracks. Why make simple things complicated. Been using them in the Caribbean for over 20 yrs.

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

I much prefer fender "rollers" big PVC pipes with end-caps and holes drilled through them for the lines.

When the boat rocks and rolls at the dock or Seawall, the fender rollers roll up and down, less friction and easier to store than a board.

So what keeps the pvc from scratching the hull topsides? Also PVC doesn't have much give....


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[RainDog]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I know it seems like a dumb question, but a dock mate wants to buy fender boards (no tools at all). I thought sure they would be easy to find, but he's coming up dry.

Surely someone sells then for too much money?

I know of a place. Send a check for $400 to s/v Rain Dog with your address. Your new fender board will arrive in 1-2 weeks.

If you really care about your boat, you should get the platinum addition fender board. It is $800, but comes with a 1 year warranty.

[darylat8750]

Originally Posted by malbert73

So what keeps the pvc from scratching the hull topsides? Also PVC doesn't have much give....


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

UH.... You put your fenders between the pvc and your hull.....