Boat Fenders on an Inflatable Boat?

[GARYSHORT]

I got asked at the ramp the other day why I had boat fenders on the side of my RIB. I showed them a picture of a 14" slice on the side of my tube of a previous SIB. It occurred while docking and waiting to load onto the trailer.
A screw or nail was sticking down and not visible from the side of the dock. As we moved forward with a swell it ripped a long hole in the tube. We spent many hours on the repair and the integrity was questionable until I had used it a number of times. Had to do both an internal and external patch to make it strong enough to be trustworthy. It looked unsightly too.

Anyway, I have 2 or 3 fenders on my RIB every time I load, unload, or dock, because this.

Just my 2cents worth

[wgc851]

I'm with you on this, for the time it takes to sling them overboard and for sake of £30/40 quid, why wouldn't you?!

[lakelandterrier]

+1

Who wants chunks taken out of the rubbing strake?

Tubes aren't designed to be fenders anyway.

[Steve509926]

You've reminded me, I must by some!

[Ferryman]

I touched the wall in Cowes in my SR4 and the tube was totalled - happy Sunday afternoon emergency lift! Fenders on ribs/sibs are the same as on hard boats!

[Brinormeg]

Probably depends where docking but figure it cant hurt to have. A few horror stories online concerning old piers and docks.
For now ive just got a few thick kneeling pads that double as seat cusions, which can then be thrown over for some protection.