Boat fenders are one of the most important pieces of equipment one can have on a boat, second only to line and an anchor. While there’s no set number of fenders that a boat should have on board, generally speaking it’s a good idea to carry at least three or four fenders for small boats, and more for larger water craft.
What Are Boat Fenders?
Fenders are soft, rubber bumpers that are hung off the side of a water craft. Their purpose is to stop the boat from bumping up against a dock, or against other boats that it may be sharing close quarters with. When the hull presses close the fender cushions the pressure, and refuses to let the hull make contact with whatever is nearby. This prevents any kind of damage from being done to the boat, whether it’s something as simple as scuffs and scratches, or something worse caused by strong waves or current.
Different Strengths
Boats come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes, and the same is true of boat fenders. Before a ship’s captain decides to carry a given kind of fender it’s important to check and see how much weight it’s rated for. Just because a fender is perfectly acceptable for a small 25-foot pleasure boat, that doesn’t mean it will be as acceptable for use on a 50-foot speed boat or on a 200-foot yacht. All fenders should be appropriately sized for the boat in question, though it never hurts to have one that’s a little bit stronger than it strictly needs to be. There is such a thing as too little protection, but rarely such a thing as too much protection when it comes to keeping the hull from crashing into whatever it’s sharing water space with.
Appearance
Fenders can take on a variety of appearances, depending on a person’s tastes. Most fenders are cylindrical, with a loop for a line at one end so the fender can hang down between the hull and any other obstacles. Fenders tend to be white or off-white, but they can also come in a number of other colours as well. They tend to be made of rubber.
Boat owners can also get fenders that come in novelty shapes, if they want to add a touch of the humorous to their docking procedures. Fenders in the shapes of mermaids are one example of a device that provides the protection a boat needs while still being amusing. There are a number of different options, but it’s important to check and make sure any novelty fender stands up to the size and strength requirements a boat needs for its associated equipment.
Backups
While there is a minimum number of fenders a given boat should have, it’s always a good idea to have backups just in case something happens. Fenders can get swept over the side, popped, cut, and otherwise destroyed. When that happens it’s important to have a few spare ones in the hold. If not, then there could be damage done to the boat instead of to the device that was being used to protect it.