SEACHOICE Twin Eye Ribbed Inflatable Boat Fender

Introduction

When it comes to docking your boat, having properly sized boat fenders can make a significant difference in protecting your vessel against damage. Boat fenders are essential for defending your hull against scrapes and costly repairs. This buying guide serves as a starting point, as individual needs and conditions can vary greatly. It is important to consult with multiple reliable sources of fender and docking information before making a buying decision.

Essential Features

Type Boat fenders come in two types: inflatable and foam. While inflatables are the most common type and are suitable for almost every type and size of boat, foam fenders, such as folding fenders, are less bulky and are ideal for situations where storage space is limited. Contour foam fenders are designed to fit boats with low freeboards, such as bass and jon boats.

Materials Boat fenders need to be built with heavy-duty, marine-grade materials to withstand years of heavy use. Inflatable fenders should be made of UV-stabilized, rotomolded vinyl or PVC with reinforced eyes or center holes, while foam fenders should have tri-laminated vinyl covers, thermal-bonded seams, rust-proof grommets, and reinforced handles.

Accessories Line is the second most important component in your boat’s protective equipment after fenders. UV-stabilized braided nylon line is ideal, along with stainless-steel holders and locks for rapid fender deployment. An automatic adjuster and a sports ball air pump are also important accessories to have on board.

Choosing a Boat Fender Boat Length and Weight The rule of thumb is to have one fender for every 10 feet of boat length, with a few spares in case of loss or damage. For boats under 30 feet, it is recommended to deploy no less than three fenders. The correct fender size can be determined by calculating one inch of diameter for every four to five feet of boat length.

Dock Conditions Under normal docking conditions, inflatable fenders sized for your boat’s length and weight will suffice. However, more challenging conditions such as docking in choppy waters or tidal surge areas may require a larger fender diameter that offers greater resistance.

Special Applications Special applications such as rafting up with another boat or protecting low freeboard boats require specific types of fenders. It is important to use fenders sized for the larger of the two boats when rafting up and to use compact contour fenders for bass, fishing, and jon boats. Folding fenders are ideal for deck boats and pontoons.

Customer Reviews Based on customer reviews, inflatable boat fenders receive an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, while foam boat fenders receive an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Inflatable boat fenders are recommended for most boats 10-35 feet in length, while foam boat fenders are recommended for low freeboard boats and pontoons.

Price and Type Inflatable boat fenders typically range from $14.00 to $59.79, while foam boat fenders are available for $17.00 to $50.16. Inflatable boat fenders come in black, blue, and white, while foam boat fenders are available in black and white, and orange and white color options.

In summary, having the right boat fenders is crucial for protecting your vessel while docking. It is important to consider factors such as boat length, weight, docking conditions, and special applications when choosing the right type and size of boat fenders.

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