A misspent youth in the Sea Scouts means I can tie most knots and splice my ropes – though I do tend to use heat shrink sleeving now on the ends rather than whipping or back splice.

Regards

Pete

Hi ,

I have seen a number of advertisements for new fenders – can anyone tell me how often it might be necessary to replace fenders. Can someone tell me (please forgive me here) what the big knotty thing on the Bow is called and do they have to be replaced?

thanks

deckhand said

Hi ,

 

I have seen a number of advertisements for new fenders – can anyone tell me how often it might be necessary to replace fenders. Can someone tell me (please forgive me here) what the big knotty thing on the Bow is called and do they have to be replaced?

thanks

If we are talking about natural rope fenders, then they last a year or so if they are always open to the elements, unless treated with a preservative, in the old days creosote was used.
For polymer ropes the will last a lot longer, but still need cleaning so they do not become a garden.

Also it depends on how often they are used in anger. I have just taken my big fenders off, cleaned them and given the a coating of old engine oil. It is important that before they go back on the boat that they have thoroughly dried so no oil is leaches into the canals.

The one on the bow is normally a button. Looks like a log on its side.

For side fenders I would suggest rubber ones. If you do any amount of cruising and locking, expect to replace them at least once a year. Always carry 3 or 4 spares, because if like me you forget or don’t lift them when cruising you will lose the odd one in locks etc.