Fender lines

[Simpo Two]

Sometimes I need to change the height of my fenders, and currently the spliced end of the line is round the fender leaving a clove-hitch round the cleat on the gunwale for adjustment. This is rather ugly and accumulates crud.

Has anyone come up with a neat way of mounting fenders so they can easily adjusted in height?

[MOTORVATOR]

Something like this John?

http://worldgearnet.com/fenderheightadjustereabyga...

Or if on a tighter budget why not just use larger diameter tyres so they are always the right height.

[Simpo Two]

MOTORVATOR said:

Something like this John?

http://worldgearnet.com/fenderheightadjustereabyga...

Interesting gadget but it looks like it goes round stanchions. Mine needs to go round a small cleat on the gunwale

MOTORVATOR said:

Or if on a tighter budget why not just use larger diameter tyres so they are always the right height.

Git! Mind you tyres would be better in every respect... why did Mr Freeman not fit his boats with rubber strakes instead of varnished mahogany ones?

[MOTORVATOR]

Simpo Two said:

MOTORVATOR said:

Something like this John?

http://worldgearnet.com/fenderheightadjustereabyga...

Interesting gadget but it looks like it goes round stanchions. Mine needs to go round a small cleat on the gunwale

Are your cleats single post or double post with a slot?

Simpo Two said:

MOTORVATOR said:

Or if on a tighter budget why not just use larger diameter tyres so they are always the right height.

Git! Mind you tyres would be better in every respect... why did Mr Freeman not fit his boats with rubber strakes instead of varnished mahogany ones?

Perhaps he was aiming at the gentleman's yacht market rather the fairground bumper boat crowd.

[Simpo Two]

MOTORVATOR said:

Are your cleats single post or double post with a slot?

Single, like flat T's an about 3" across.

MOTORVATOR said:

Perhaps he was aiming at the gentleman's yacht market rather the fairground bumper boat crowd.

I'll settle for that. Would love a slipper launch but lack the boathouse and sweeping lawn leading to mansion at top

[MOTORVATOR]

Simpo Two said:

Single, like flat T's an about 3" across.

In that case why not just add loops into the fender rope so that you can lift it up to the next level assuming you only need a couple of heights.

An alternative would be to mount bullseyes on top of the gunwhale with a camcleat behind for infinitely variable but that is adding deck gear. On a seaboat obviously we stow fenders under way but I can appreciate what you're trying to achieve.

http://www.force4.co.uk/8666/Holt-Bullseye-with-In...

http://www.force4.co.uk/5893/Harken--Carbo-Cam-Cam...

(illustrating the idea only, obviously shop around for finish and price)

[Simpo Two]

MOTORVATOR said:

In that case why not just add loops into the fender rope so that you can lift it up to the next level assuming you only need a couple of heights.

That was my best idea, perhaps using doubled line with heat-shrink tubing to isolate 1 - 2 loops. The only downside is the 'spare' bit which would lie on the deck ot flap about.

MOTORVATOR said:

An alternative would be to mount bullseyes on top of the gunwhale with a camcleat behind for infinitely variable but that is adding deck gear.

In fact the boat next to me has a similar system fitted, but as you say it starts getting bitty. I think loops are the best answer. Or just long thin fenders! The bankside on the Fens is often very low and unless the fenders are virtually dragging on the water they tend to 'roll out' when squashed. Thanks very much for the input

[MOTORVATOR]

Simpo Two said:

That was my best idea, perhaps using doubled line with heat-shrink tubing to isolate 1 - 2 loops. The only downside is the 'spare' bit which would lie on the deck ot flap about.

The more traditional way would be to seize the two ropes together with whipping twine or if you're really good then splice it in and rebuild the rope before splicing again. Both very theraupetic whilst sitting in the sun with a G&T.

Edit. Have you thought about flat fenders. Get them in any length you want and you don't really need the full on inflatable job for the fens.

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/1798/flat-fen...

Edited by MOTORVATOR on Monday 2nd May 23:08

[Simpo Two]

Hmm... if I wanted something ugly then kneelers are cheaper!

[MOTORVATOR]

Simpo Two said:

Hmm... if I wanted something ugly then kneelers are cheaper!

Whitewall tyres it is then.