Where and how to mount fenders

[Mark Prouty]

West Marine wants a fortune for fender mounts. I am currently hanging them on the head door and was wondering what others have done.

I think I see some mounted on Duane's boat:

[Frank C]

For the one fender that hangs from the aft rail, I leave it attached to its rail but drape it across the coaming so it's hanging over the aft deck.

Don't have kidlets aboard, so I usually toss the other two down the companionway when getting underway. As time permits, I go back and toss them into the head. Grant that they'd be in the way with a crowd aboard, but this works for me.

Saw another guy who mounted a couple of flipper cleats on the aft head wall (over the aft berth) for hanging fenders.

[Jim Bunnell]

I ran two loops of shock (bungee) cord through and under the rear seat. Three fenders tuck up into there quite well. Just have to be sure to loop the fender lines around the bungee so they don't hang down. Don't know they are there most of the time, yet ready to hand when needed.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Were you see the fenders on my boat was a test that worked very well. Before we used 3 smaller fenders and they would fit in one of the fuel lockers next to a tank, but we moved up to 4 of the larger size you see in the picture and with my new fuel tanks I needed a better place. I looked at all kinds of ways to store them. I hate the look of a boat with fenders lying or hanging around and wanted a 'out of the way' yet instantly available place to store them. Nothing screams bad seamanship louder than dangling fenders.

As you can see in the picture, we store two on each side. I bought some cheap $4 mesh bags and cable tied them to the mid pulpit along the outside part of the bag opening. This make it super easy to get to them from the cockpit yet keeps them out of the way. They are tucked in agaist the hull just inside the curve of the rail. Fenders get dirty, get tar on them, often are wet, there is no way I want them anywhere below. Getting them out of the cockpit like this is even better. The cheap bags have served very well so far but I am going to replace them with a prettier solution.

I've just finished the design for some permanent bags that will go where the current mesh bags are. They will have a pocket for each fender as well as a couple extra pockets for the tails of sheets, particularly the mainsheet when it is clipped out to starboard. I found having the tails of the sheets led back into the enclosure wicked in water when it rains. The new bags are shaped to fill the lower mid pulpit area conforming to it's curves. They will have a level bottom that lines up with the rub rail. They will have a much better appearance than the mesh bags do. They will be made of black sunbrella and will have grommets for mounting points.

[Harry van der Meer]

I took the 4 medium size fenders I have to Target and purchased a tub that all 4 fit in. I keep the tub on the port side of the rear berth. They are out of the way and any dirt is contained in the tub. I hate the look of fenders on the outside of the boat.

[Hubert]

I leave the forward Fenders attached, flip up and store horizontal between the boat and side stays. I remove the back ones and store below.
Hubert

[Moe]

I intend to store ours as Hubert does, the forward ones tied to the front stanchions, with a line on the bottom fender loop running to the mid pulpit. And the aft ones tied to the rear railings with a line running from the bottom fender loop to the mid pulpit. Would like to be able to deploy or lift both on one side from the same location in the cockpit.

--
Moe

[Sloop John B]

I have normal size fenders of different color (so I know where they go) and toss them into the cabin. They make a real mess. Laundry tub sounds good. Right now, with six gallon tanks each side, they fit in the fuel locker.

[Chip Hindes]

Agree with Harry, I don't care at all for fenders stored outside. I've tried all the exterior locations and methods mentioned, and no matter where or how, when sailing they're always in the way and the sheets get hung up on them.

Mine go in the aft berth on the starboard side. I agree though that they're sometimes way too nasty to just toss in there.

I like the idea of putting them under the captain's seat. I'll have to try it.

[BK]

Talking about fenders, I have a small set I keep in a hammock down below that I use to keep the boat even as I pull out onto the iron slip. I believe Duane first mentioned this method. Works great. I put a fender next to the rear trailer pole and it holds the boat in the center of the trailer. You need to have a line loop set up to the fender ends so it lays long way against the pole and boat.

[kmclemore]

I have two of the larger fenders and we keep them stowed under the sink in the head... probably not the most convenient place... the idea for using a net under the seat or a net on the aft berth wall sounds better... hmm..