Fender Size?

[dgs119]

Rule of thumb what size fenders should you get? I have a 19ft runabout. I see them from 3 inches and up.

Thanks

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Fender Size?

1" of diameter for every 5 feet of boat. You need 4" minimum.

 

[govols019]

Re: Fender Size?

Mine are 5 1/2" X 20" on the same size boat.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fender Size?

On my 21 Foot Crestliner aluminum I have 3.
The bow is 10 by 30. The Stern and Mid Boat are 8 by 28.
I started with smaller ones but over time ended up with these and they fit my boat perfect.

Also I recomend Taylor Made but make sure you get the ones with the inflation valve. They have a lifetime warranty. Had a couple without the inflation valve and in the summer up at the lake at 105 degrees it was fine but go to the Pacific Ocean at 50 degrees and wet fog and it was half deflated.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Fender Size?

1" of diameter for every 5 feet of boat. You need 4" minimum.

I'm curious- where did you find that formula? I'd think it depends most on where you tie up. That formula might work okay for a lake boat, but I use 6-inchers on my 21' Pro-Line. I have to contend with lots of wind and wave action at the bulkhead, and my boat is not a lightweight.

I may be buying a 24' Chris Craft this Spring. That boat is heavy- over 5000 lbs dry. I'll keep 6-inchers aboard for raft-ups and transient docking, but "home port" will be set up with 8 inchers.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Fender Size?

I'm curious- where did you find that formula? I'd think it depends most on where you tie up. That formula might work okay for a lake boat, but I use 6-inchers on my 21' Pro-Line. I have to contend with lots of wind and wave action at the bulkhead, and my boat is not a lightweight.

I may be buying a 24' Chris Craft this Spring. That boat is heavy- over 5000 lbs dry. I'll keep 6-inchers aboard for raft-ups and transient docking, but "home port" will be set up with 8 inchers.

I dunno, just remember it. I run 8" fenders on my 25 footer and had 6" fenders on my 21 footer, both being overkill, 99% of the time, IMO. Nice thing about rules of thumb; you can always ignore them

 

[mthieme]

Re: Fender Size?

I have 4" and 6" onboard my 19'er. The 4" are pretty useless and moved them over the 14' skiff which seems to a much better fit.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Fender Size?

Jolin,
you ask where the formula came from for fenders.
here it is............

http://www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=2872

this is capt.Steve from boattest.com scroll down to lesson #19 title requirements,supplies,lines and fenders.

lot of good info in short videos.

woosterken

 

[JoLin]

Re: Fender Size?

Jolin,
you ask where the formula came from for fenders.
here it is............

http://www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=2872

this is capt.Steve from boattest.com scroll down to lesson #19 title requirements,supplies,lines and fenders.

lot of good info in short videos.

woosterken

Great site. Thanks. You might want to listen again- Capt. Steve recommends a minimum of 1" dimaeter for every THREE feet of boat length, not five. Ergo, the 8-inchers I planned to use on my 24-footer might actually be a little small considering the rough water I frequent, and the weight of the boat.

 

[frankie g]

Re: Fender Size?

8" on my 23' WA

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fender Size?

on my pontoon i have 2-8",2-6"-2-4" rafting up i put the 8" center, and 6" on bow and stern. if you raft up correctly the center fender does all the work and the 6" are just for protection, in case the 8" fails. that way i can raft up to both sides.

 

[dgs119]

Re: Fender Size?

thanks for the information! I really liked that webpage. Lot's of good ideas and tips.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Fender Size?

your welcome,book mark it and pass it on
you can never know it all