Rib fenders

[gtflash]

After years of contemplation the boat is finally off for new tubes. Now I'm wondering how I can protect em.

Anyone used any of flat or step like fenders with success? My conventional ones always rode up over middle of tube
Thanks gt

[JA1000]

I went for 4 conventional ones all goo so far but couldn't find the right flat ones so interested in responses

[Uncle Nobby]

Yes, i have the flat ones and they are stay where they're put. I like 'em. I have a couple of normal ones too in case, but have not needed them over the flat ones yet.

[JA1000]

Where did you get them from - do you have a link?

[Uncle Nobby]

eBay used - £10 for two. They're the same as these ones:

Rib Fender Medium Grey or White

[JA1000]

Cheers - has any got the Hull Hugrs?

[gtflash]

Originally Posted by JA1000

Cheers - has any got the Hull Hugrs?

They are cheap on eBay. Thicker but more upright. I wondered the same

[butty]

I have the curved ones that suit the tubes, got a mate who does upholstery to make covers with 50mm webbing straps that go over the tubes to hold them, they work well, just having new covers made now...

[steco1958]

I use the standard type, and have found that deflating them assists in not having them ride up over the tube.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by JA1000

Cheers - has any got the Hull Hugrs?

I use a pair of them. I have them on a short line with a gate clip on the end; clip them to an inside D-ring and toss them out. Positioned with one towards the rear, and the other just short of the start of the bow taper. I like the thickness - it provides a bit of space between the tubes and any pointy bits on the dock. Being vinyl material, the mounting holes tend to be the weak area - they tear out after a few seasons (depends on the amount of abuse, of course.)

They work well, but they do have a tendency to creep if there's a lot of vertical motion between the boat and whatever you dock to (they have to slide, so it's less a problem than cylindrical fenders that roll their way up.) If you find that's a problem, I've had pretty good luck attaching a 2lb dive weight to the bottom.

The ones I'm talking about are about 2 or 3 inches thick, perhaps 6 or 7 inches wide, and a foot and a half or so long, with a hinged section a third of the way down.

They make pretty good impromptu pillows as well for those times where your dive buddies don't want to come back up.


jky

[AMac]

I used 2 x inflatable seats from a dinghy for my 9.0m

[gtflash]

thanks all.

I might wait for boatshow, as not convinced by the flat ones. Its possible they dont sell what I want

[steco1958]

Originally Posted by gtflash

thanks all.

I might wait for boatshow, as not convinced by the flat ones. Its possible they dont sell what I want

Is what you want a good idea, if so, why not design it yourself, get a mock up, try and sell some.

If its a good idea, it could enhance your bank balance

[kestrel452]

Funny this thread should come up, I was just thinking of how to protect the sides of a RIB while at dock.

Truthfully, I'm hard pressed to see the need for a legitimate "fender". The tubes already provide shock absorption, what seems more necessary is a way to protect the tube fabric from rubbing the dock and suffering damage/abrasions.

My idea is a long piece of PVC or vinyl that goes over the tubes on the side of the boat you're docking with. What I don't have nailed down quite yet is how to make a quick detach mounting system for it. Though, the Airhead Roll Up Fender might have already filled that niche now that I look at it.

[lakelandterrier]

i have a couple of the compass Marine flat rib fenders - the fit nicely into a pod for storage and clip onto the lifeline D-rings with snap-shackles. Easily adjustable with the line through the 2 leads on the fenders. Simples and space efficient