Attaching fenders!?

[pettal]

Some people might say that a RIB is just one big fender so why bother.

But I do........my only problem is that I haven't found a satisfactory way of attaching them to the rib!?

I've tried snap-clips to the hand line on each side, but if the rope is a bit baggy (as per a new rib) then more often than not it just floats in the water and doesn't actually do it's job.

Anybody got any good ideas.....apart from lashing huge amounts of rope around seats, a frame and console!!?!?!

[Louise]

I know you asked about attaching fenders but alternatively you could try a different type of fender - the flat type. Have a look here. We haven't used them ourselves but have heard that they are good!

HTH

[Simon Hawkins]

Why dont you attach them to the rings on the sponsons, instead of the rope.

[MeMe]

...........of your rib, this will help. I have a number of different fender clips/tie-ons specifically for fenders. A pic will help me see if they will work on yours.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Louise

I know you asked about attaching fenders but alternatively you could try a different type of fender - the flat type. Have a look here. We haven't used them ourselves but have heard that they are good!

HTH

Look much better suited for a RIB but very expensive for what they are - be easy enough to make them!!!

[pettal]

Hi All,

The rib fenders you suggested Louise look just the job but they are a bit pricey. Mind you having said that normal fenders ain't cheap either!

Simon - There are no rings on the sponsons they are just chunks of rubber that the rope fits through. We are talking about the same thing aren't we?

Anyway picture of ropey bits attached!

[Louise]

OK this is just an idea that might help keep the fender to sit in the right place - I have no idea whether it would work in practice! How about attaching the fender with two ropes, tying one rope to the top of the grab line to the left of the rubber fitting and one rope to grab line the other side of the fitting. In other words, you would have a V of rope with the fender at the base of the V and the top of each V being the knot tying the rope to the grab line. Does that make sense? Worth a try? HTH

[pettal]

Originally Posted by Louise

OK this is just an idea that might help keep the fender to sit in the right place - I have no idea whether it would work in practice! How about attaching the fender with two ropes, tying one rope to the top of the grab line to the left of the rubber fitting and one rope to grab line the other side of the fitting. In other words, you would have a V of rope with the fender at the base of the V and the top of each V being the knot tying the rope to the grab line. Does that make sense? Worth a try? HTH

Now.....why didn't I think of that!!!!

Louise your an Angel! I can have two carabiner clips at each end of the rope wiv fender in the middle.......clippy/unclip job done!

XXXXXXXXXX

[Louise]

Hope it works!

[swginn]

Or you can make things even simpler and just clip the rope on as shown. It works for me!! (The grey things are supposed to be clips!!)

Glad to see you're lookin after her, wouldn't want you getting any marks on those bright orange tubes now would we!!

[Louise]

Even better!

[MeMe]

.........of no use I'm afraid.

Moving on from Lou's idea (a good one), instead of an additional rope simply buy a fender with loops/holes/attachments on both ends, tie a rope to both and tie off so the fender is horizontal not vertical. In fact, having done a quick search for a pic I came across "through line fenders" but the pic would not load. This would be a better solution and look a lot neater. As for cost, this is your baby we're talking about - get it spent.

[swginn]

Meme, a good idea with hardboats but have tried it and the fender generally rolls its way up onto the tube, rendering itself completely useless.

[Jimbob]

One thing i used to do, if you have rope attached to the sides of th tubes, e.g as per the photo, is to use fender with a hole at each end and attached sideways. This works and i found a cheap place to buy them, they then do there job especially has the boat move a little, even with a spring. However now having a bigger rib i think i will have to use GIRL POWERs idea

[DGR]

We have our fenders vertically (from the hoops that aren't on your RIB) - but we had originally thought about putting them horizontally, slung between two points.

We decided not to do that because if the fender won't move freely, then it will rub against the tube, and eventually it'll scuff it. At least if the fenders are vertical, they roll as the rubbing strake/pontoon move relative to each other - not damaging anything.

I don't know how much damage a chafing fender would/could do - but we decided not to risk it.

Not sure if that helps.........

Dylan...

[pettal]

All very good idea's I'll have to have a play around at knitting ropes and things and see which works the best.

The main problem is when she's sat in her mooring, the wooden slats tends to slop around a bit if we have an easterly blowing in and whilst the damage would be very minimal over time it wouldn't do the tubes any good.

I'll let you know how I get on, but keep the ideas coming!

[MeMe]

.........which you prompted yourself. You can but fenders made from platted rope, these would sit in any position and offer a reasonable degree of defence.

[pettal]

Sounds like a lot of knitting to me.....MeMe (That's confusing having to many Me's in a sentence).

Anyway, I'm all for the easy option as I'll leave the knitting to yachties and salty old sea dogs!!

[MeMe]

....take a look at these, "cheap as rope".
http://www.tradline.co.uk/

[pmorgan]

Could you not attach the fender with a clove hitch with one of the loops either side of the ‘rings’ that attach the hand-line ?