Leaving your fenders tied to the dock?

Patofnaud · 05-11-2017, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smith Point

Rich, Nice Dock. are your 4x4 posts notched into the dock, permanently? if we did that the ice would snap the posts like matchsticks.

Looks like the deck is notched around the posts.

Rich · 05-12-2017, 08:17 AM

Deck is notched, not the posts.

I don't think there is much ice movement there, as they don't even use bubblers in the winter.

LIforrelaxin · 05-12-2017, 08:59 AM

With all this talk about bumpers, not knowing the OP situation, I wanted to throw out there that Whips are also a wonderful product, for keeping boats off the dock.

Now of course if your slip is in a marina then this probably isn't an option. But if it is a private dock I honest suggest to people to seriously consider the option, especially if you happen to be in a high traffic, or prone to weather area.

I absolutely love my mooring whips... I used to have a U shaped dock, to help keep the boat safe... but it was a lot of work to put in and out... Now I have a single pier, that goes in quickly... I and many friends have used whips with boats of all sizes, including jet skis.....

While the mooring whips are expensive when compared to bumpers, if you have a permanent situation, think of it as an investment... They will keep your boat safe for years... I have a neighbor that has had whips for now almost 30 years... He did have to replace on of the two whips after a knuckle head move... but one of the original whips is still going strong.... Myself my whips now are 10 seasons young......if I look at the 400$ cost that is 40$ a season...

My only suggestion if you go for whips, is to think forward, to that time when you might want a bigger boat... and size the whips with this in mind.... My situation, was that I could have spent less, but my current boat was at the limit of the smaller whips size... So yes I have an overkill situation, but when I decide I want a larger boat, I am all set.

VitaBene · 05-12-2017, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

With all this talk about bumpers, not knowing the OP situation, I wanted to throw out there that Whips are also a wonderful product, for keeping boats off the dock.

Now of course if your slip is in a marina then this probably isn't an option. But if it is a private dock I honest suggest to people to seriously consider the option, especially if you happen to be in a high traffic, or prone to weather area.

I absolutely love my mooring whips... I used to have a U shaped dock, to help keep the boat safe... but it was a lot of work to put in and out... Now I have a single pier, that goes in quickly... I and many friends have used whips with boats of all sizes, including jet skis.....

While the mooring whips are expensive when compared to bumpers, if you have a permanent situation, think of it as an investment... They will keep your boat safe for years... I have a neighbor that has had whips for now almost 30 years... He did have to replace on of the two whips after a knuckle head move... but one of the original whips is still going strong.... Myself my whips now are 10 seasons young......if I look at the 400$ cost that is 40$ a season...

My only suggestion if you go for whips, is to think forward, to that time when you might want a bigger boat... and size the whips with this in mind.... My situation, was that I could have spent less, but my current boat was at the limit of the smaller whips size... So yes I have an overkill situation, but when I decide I want a larger boat, I am all set.

Jason, this would look awesome at your place!! I have never seen one with twins- looks like a great boat for the lake!
https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...?do=ad&id=8792

Dave M · 05-14-2017, 05:12 PM

Believe or not I use floatation cushions. I buy the solid core with long strap(Bradley). I tie one side in a knot to get half the length so I can go with any height. This has worked out for years and the cushions last a few years. I've had no issues with strap breaking or tears. Eventually it does wear out. Reason I use these they tend to not roll or move around dock post since its flat. I've doubled up in some cases using Velcro strap to tie together. Using the cushions does double duty, one for docks and one for safety in case person overboard which is required. This saves me space since I have a 20' boat.

My own docks has its own bumpers since I got that option when buying dock.

Dave M

persistence · 05-12-2017, 09:26 AM

I leave all my lines at the dock. It's so much easier for someone to help tying up from the boat or the dock. Except when they put the wrong line on the wrong cleat and you stop short.

I used to leave fenders on the dock for my 20' also. And just keep a nice set with you for travelling.

My 31' is awlgripped, and the slip is tighter with fingers on both sides. So I keep the fenders on the boat and use the taylor made fleece covers. I just try to minimize rubbing as much as I can. And I think there's less damage if the fender is tied to the boat vs the boat rubbing a stationary fender. I've also seen a line rip through a fender because the fender was stuck on a piling when leaving the dock, so be careful everything is clear.

This year I hope to put boats 90 to my fingers like in the pics above and the rubber. So I don't need to use fenders at all. I'm in a river that is controlled by a dam. So i can be a little above my dock, or under depending on rainfall. The boards should help with this. I hate the feeling when i'm out of town that the boat could be rubbing the underside of the dock....

05-12-2017, 08:17 AM	#2
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,246 Thanks: 73 Thanked 345 Times in 235 Posts	Deck is notched, not the posts. I don't think there is much ice movement there, as they don't even use bubblers in the winter. __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

05-12-2017, 08:59 AM	#3
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,875 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	With all this talk about bumpers, not knowing the OP situation, I wanted to throw out there that Whips are also a wonderful product, for keeping boats off the dock. Now of course if your slip is in a marina then this probably isn't an option. But if it is a private dock I honest suggest to people to seriously consider the option, especially if you happen to be in a high traffic, or prone to weather area. I absolutely love my mooring whips... I used to have a U shaped dock, to help keep the boat safe... but it was a lot of work to put in and out... Now I have a single pier, that goes in quickly... I and many friends have used whips with boats of all sizes, including jet skis..... While the mooring whips are expensive when compared to bumpers, if you have a permanent situation, think of it as an investment... They will keep your boat safe for years... I have a neighbor that has had whips for now almost 30 years... He did have to replace on of the two whips after a knuckle head move... but one of the original whips is still going strong.... Myself my whips now are 10 seasons young......if I look at the 400$ cost that is 40$ a season... My only suggestion if you go for whips, is to think forward, to that time when you might want a bigger boat... and size the whips with this in mind.... My situation, was that I could have spent less, but my current boat was at the limit of the smaller whips size... So yes I have an overkill situation, but when I decide I want a larger boat, I am all set. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

05-14-2017, 05:12 PM	#5
Dave M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 395 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	A little unorthodox Believe or not I use floatation cushions. I buy the solid core with long strap(Bradley). I tie one side in a knot to get half the length so I can go with any height. This has worked out for years and the cushions last a few years. I've had no issues with strap breaking or tears. Eventually it does wear out. Reason I use these they tend to not roll or move around dock post since its flat. I've doubled up in some cases using Velcro strap to tie together. Using the cushions does double duty, one for docks and one for safety in case person overboard which is required. This saves me space since I have a 20' boat. My own docks has its own bumpers since I got that option when buying dock. Dave M

05-12-2017, 09:26 AM	#6
persistence Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 109 Thanks: 6 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	I leave all my lines at the dock. It's so much easier for someone to help tying up from the boat or the dock. Except when they put the wrong line on the wrong cleat and you stop short. I used to leave fenders on the dock for my 20' also. And just keep a nice set with you for travelling. My 31' is awlgripped, and the slip is tighter with fingers on both sides. So I keep the fenders on the boat and use the taylor made fleece covers. I just try to minimize rubbing as much as I can. And I think there's less damage if the fender is tied to the boat vs the boat rubbing a stationary fender. I've also seen a line rip through a fender because the fender was stuck on a piling when leaving the dock, so be careful everything is clear. This year I hope to put boats 90 to my fingers like in the pics above and the rubber. So I don't need to use fenders at all. I'm in a river that is controlled by a dam. So i can be a little above my dock, or under depending on rainfall. The boards should help with this. I hate the feeling when i'm out of town that the boat could be rubbing the underside of the dock....