Pontoon Fender/Fender Tie-up Options?

thinkxingu · 01-09-2016, 04:23 AM

Holla! We're going to see our new tritoon today at Melvin Village, so I've been thinking about what we'll need in spring. One of the things that I got a little annoyed with the last couple years was hanging bumpers to raft/dock. What we had were basic plastic clips with a hoop that hung on the rails, and I found myself having to tie/re-tie a lot.

Suggestions on tie-up options, and even bumper options if there's a miracle I'm missing, welcome.

Thanks!

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Lakeboater · 01-09-2016, 10:33 AM

Check out this recent thread under Boating: Most convenient fender hanger for 'greenhorn' first mate

thinkxingu · 01-09-2016, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakeboater

Check out this recent thread under Boating: Most convenient fender hanger for 'greenhorn' first mate

I saw that, but the recommendations are for runabout, etc. rails, not pontoon ones.

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Descant · 01-09-2016, 03:52 PM

Watching the video on fender suspenders makes me believe they would work in almost any situation. Many of us have fenders, mooring whips, etc pretty much permanently installed at our home slip, so no problem there. Tieing up at different docks, friends, public, etc. mostly means resetting fenders each time as posts are different sizes, water levels change and many other variables, so I reset my fenders at each instance. It sounds like you want to set your fenders before docking. For me, that makes it harder to get them at the right height and location, so I always hang them after I dock, then decide if I want two close together, horizontal, whatever. This also gives me a little time to see how the boat rides at the dock, blowing fore/aft on or off the dock and I adjust my dock lines accordingly. Nothing wrong with installing extra cleats to match places you tie frequently. I've done this on several boats to get a spring line just where I want it and easy to access.

thinkxingu · 01-09-2016, 04:38 PM

Looked at Tidy Ups and a simpler version, both by Taylor. Ended up with the simpler mostly because the Tidy Ups looked like they might bang around if left on and would be a pain to take on and off: https://jet.com/product/detail/a9607...FYIfHwod19IMIA.

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ishoot308 · 01-09-2016, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I saw that, but the recommendations are for runabout, etc. rails, not pontoon ones.

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If you don't mind putting on something permanent, contact Bryan Dennis at http://www.ezfender.com/ Many people like his product. I have not used it....

Dan

thinkxingu · 01-09-2016, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

If you don't mind putting on something permanent, contact Bryan Dennis at http://www.ezfender.com/ Many people like his product. I have not used it....

Dan

Dan,
I'm not confident those would clear the cover, and it's the same problem as Harris's EZ Clip system, which is that they're not movable--we need flexibility when docking and rafting with others.

Thanks, though!

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Knomad · 01-10-2016, 04:16 AM

We used the stock Harris fender clips on our pontoon boat. By adding a couple of extra clips to the rail, we were able to accommodate all our docking requirements. This worked better than any other attachment devices we ever had.

thinkxingu · 01-10-2016, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knomad

We used the stock Harris fender clips on our pontoon boat. By adding a couple of extra clips to the rail, we were able to accommodate all our docking requirements. This worked better than any other attachment devices we ever had.

How many did you have on each side to work? I'm thinking it would be at least 4?

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Greene's Basin Girl · 01-10-2016, 01:26 PM

Our Harris Pontoon came with 2 fender clips on each side. We bought 4 fenders. Usually you will only use fenders at one time, depending on which side you dock your boat. I assume you would use all 4 fenders if you dock in a slip. We absolutely love our Harris tri-toon. It handles the broads, even on the roughest days.

Knomad · 01-10-2016, 03:30 PM

Depends on the length of your boat. Normally 2 per side will work just fine.

ishoot308 · 01-10-2016, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

How many did you have on each side to work? I'm thinking it would be at least 4?

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I have owned many pontoons over the years and I have never used more than two. The only time you may want a third is if your rafting with someone. Then you will also want a fender cover. Other than that the other two will just take up space and be in the way. Get a couple G6 Polyform fenders and that's all you will need for your boat. Get a couple G10's for your home dock and you will not have to hang your G6's off your boat when you get home.

Let me know if you want some fenders. I have more than I know what to do with...

Dan

thinkxingu · 01-10-2016, 05:04 PM

Thanks, all--I have two fenders and beach my boat. What I was referring to was location--when rafting with a runabout, the fenders need to be closer to the middle than when docking. Having two fixed locations (I don't think) will help with that?

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DoTheMath · 01-20-2016, 01:46 PM

thinkxingu - just sent you a p/m.

I spent a lot of time wrestling with fender "hangers" looking for a better solution. When I couldn't find one, I designed and built a system that truly is a "better mouse trap".

thinkxingu · 01-20-2016, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoTheMath

thinkxingu - just sent you a p/m.

I spent a lot of time wrestling with fender "hangers" looking for a better solution. When I couldn't find one, I designed and built a system that truly is a "better mouse trap".

Thanks for the PM. I looked at your website and the videos, but I'm a bit more...price sensitive!

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DoTheMath · 01-21-2016, 09:34 AM

Understood. I never set out to be the cheapest product out there, just the best! However I think there is great value in the product when you consider the high-quality components, versatility and unequaled functionality they offer.

01-09-2016, 04:23 AM	#1
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,204 Thanks: 1,167 Thanked 2,046 Times in 1,269 Posts	Pontoon Fender/Fender Tie-up Options? Holla! We're going to see our new tritoon today at Melvin Village, so I've been thinking about what we'll need in spring. One of the things that I got a little annoyed with the last couple years was hanging bumpers to raft/dock. What we had were basic plastic clips with a hoop that hung on the rails, and I found myself having to tie/re-tie a lot. Suggestions on tie-up options, and even bumper options if there's a miracle I'm missing, welcome. Thanks! Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

01-09-2016, 10:33 AM	#2
Lakeboater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 394 Thanks: 20 Thanked 131 Times in 94 Posts	Under boating Check out this recent thread under Boating: Most convenient fender hanger for 'greenhorn' first mate

01-09-2016, 03:52 PM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,329 Thanks: 1,335 Thanked 1,619 Times in 1,051 Posts	Fender suspender/extender Watching the video on fender suspenders makes me believe they would work in almost any situation. Many of us have fenders, mooring whips, etc pretty much permanently installed at our home slip, so no problem there. Tieing up at different docks, friends, public, etc. mostly means resetting fenders each time as posts are different sizes, water levels change and many other variables, so I reset my fenders at each instance. It sounds like you want to set your fenders before docking. For me, that makes it harder to get them at the right height and location, so I always hang them after I dock, then decide if I want two close together, horizontal, whatever. This also gives me a little time to see how the boat rides at the dock, blowing fore/aft on or off the dock and I adjust my dock lines accordingly. Nothing wrong with installing extra cleats to match places you tie frequently. I've done this on several boats to get a spring line just where I want it and easy to access.

01-20-2016, 01:46 PM	#14
DoTheMath Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MA / Moultonborough Posts: 146 Thanks: 46 Thanked 43 Times in 18 Posts	Better solution. thinkxingu - just sent you a p/m. I spent a lot of time wrestling with fender "hangers" looking for a better solution. When I couldn't find one, I designed and built a system that truly is a "better mouse trap".

01-09-2016, 04:38 PM	#5
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,204 Thanks: 1,167 Thanked 2,046 Times in 1,269 Posts	Looked at Tidy Ups and a simpler version, both by Taylor. Ended up with the simpler mostly because the Tidy Ups looked like they might bang around if left on and would be a pain to take on and off: https://jet.com/product/detail/a9607...FYIfHwod19IMIA. Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

01-10-2016, 04:16 AM	#8
Knomad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Center Tuftonboro Posts: 174 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 19 Posts	We used the stock Harris fender clips on our pontoon boat. By adding a couple of extra clips to the rail, we were able to accommodate all our docking requirements. This worked better than any other attachment devices we ever had.

01-10-2016, 01:26 PM	#10
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	Our Harris Pontoon came with 2 fender clips on each side. We bought 4 fenders. Usually you will only use fenders at one time, depending on which side you dock your boat. I assume you would use all 4 fenders if you dock in a slip. We absolutely love our Harris tri-toon. It handles the broads, even on the roughest days.

01-10-2016, 03:30 PM	#11
Knomad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Center Tuftonboro Posts: 174 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 19 Posts	Depends on the length of your boat. Normally 2 per side will work just fine.

01-10-2016, 05:04 PM	#13
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,204 Thanks: 1,167 Thanked 2,046 Times in 1,269 Posts	Thanks, all--I have two fenders and beach my boat. What I was referring to was location--when rafting with a runabout, the fenders need to be closer to the middle than when docking. Having two fixed locations (I don't think) will help with that? Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

01-21-2016, 09:34 AM	#16
DoTheMath Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MA / Moultonborough Posts: 146 Thanks: 46 Thanked 43 Times in 18 Posts	Understood. I never set out to be the cheapest product out there, just the best! However I think there is great value in the product when you consider the high-quality components, versatility and unequaled functionality they offer.