Fenders

I need to purchase some new fenders for my 42 Trawler. Any suggestions on best place to get a good deal on the internet.

Why not try our very own Hop-Car?

Hopkins -Carter Marine supply
3300 NW 21st St, Miami, FL 33142

(305) 635-7377

Yeah I'd try Parks over at HC.

It's really Important to support our "bricks & mortar" suppliers. Otherwise we'll have nothing available today when we need it.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Trawler

We've had Aere's since we bought the Nordy and love'em.

The defender.com always has good prices but a simple search (google to the rescue) will reveal a better price for a particular item somewhere. Let your fingers (or mouse) do some walking.

Strange how on-line retail works sometimes. We purchased fender covers on Amazon a while back because our local retail marine store was out of what we wanted. Our Amazon order was "fulfilled" the following week--from the local marine store.

I can't get better service than with HopCar (Parks at Hopkins-Carter). Personal service and accountability. If you ever in Miami, he delivers too. Be aware though....a good stock of brew is advisable before inviting him over.

The OP is Los Angeles, of the really good internet vendors Fisheries Supply up in Seattle is closer and a great outfit. A good buddy has his boat in King Harbor in Redondo and said the marine hardware store down there usually matches prices, not sure if that is true. I don't remember who the independents are near MDR, only been in the West store there.

healhustler, thanks for the slow 1 whistle pass!

What are the benefits of the "foam" type fenders vs. inflatable ones, if any?

mikekomm said:

What are the benefits of the "foam" type fenders vs. inflatable ones, if any?

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None that come to mind. May be the reason you virtually never see them used on a boat of any size.

mikekomm said:

What are the benefits of the "foam" type fenders vs. inflatable ones, if any?

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Foam can be flat and won't roll if you don't want it to....can use in other applications like a temp seat cushion, etc....generally come in more shapes...but inflatables are catching up.

Foam won't burst.

Foam is less sensitive to cracking in extreme cold.

Fot the most part...foam is used on smaller boats or unusual applications until you get into the jumbo sized used for larger yachts and ships.

Overall for the 30-60 or so size boats...air filled seem to be the most widely used.

Once you add in shipping costs, Internet fenders may cost as much as locally purchased fenders. West Marine often puts fenders on sale. They used to price match Internet vendors but they no longer do that.

Re shipping costs ... true, they can add up if you are not setup with friendly supplier or with Amazon Prime, or not in lower 48 states. On the other hand some can save on state taxes if internet shopping out of state. Plus, there is always a good deal somewhere ...

Another potential online store, with good prices in general, is JD's Sailing Supply. They might not have a Defender wide selection but their prices are often even lower, and their customer service is outstanding. FWIW, their fenders page: JD's Sailing Supply was created for sailors by sailors

rwidman said:

Once you add in shipping costs, Internet fenders may cost as much as locally purchased fenders. West Marine often puts fenders on sale. They used to price match Internet vendors but they no longer do that.

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+1

We did that. I like to get the fenders that don't have the knob or ear on the end for attaching a line. Knob on one end of course but knobs on the bottom just get fouled w growth as they are frequently underwater.

Fenders? Did somebody say Fenders?

The Taylor brand fenders have a lifetime warranty and if you buy them at West Marine (on sale of course), when they fail you can just take them to the store and exchange them for new ones. This is something I have done myself.

Tom.B said:

Fenders? Did somebody say Fenders?

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No bass?

rwidman said:

No bass?

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Ok then.

Fenders are fairly light and some places will deflate them if it will save on shipping...I shopped around and saved 30% over West Marine on a set of 4...was going to go with one company, then Defender had a boat show sale and I got them to price match just a little more.

If West would sell big boy fenders in the 2 pack like they do the smaller ones...they might be competitive and their price match has been hit or miss this year from what people have been posting.

Tom.B said:

Ok then.

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Better read the fine print on the Taylor life time warranty. I took one in that was like new with a pin hole leak and the St Augustine, Fl WM rep told me warranty only cover wear and tear/scuffing type damage. Still can't figure where the pin hole came from.
Bill

If I were buying fenders I woud buy black. Mine always seem to wind up black or close to it anyway, same for shorepower cords.

HiDHo said:

Better read the fine print on the Taylor life time warranty. I took one in that was like new with a pin hole leak and the St Augustine, Fl WM rep told me warranty only cover wear and tear/scuffing type damage. Still can't figure where the pin hole came from.
Bill

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That's interesting, i have taken two old Taylor fenders with slow leaks to two different West stores with no receipt and had them replaced no questions asked. Is this latest "policy" something new? You might try a different west store or talk to the manager.

Do you know where the leak is? They can be patched with a tire patch or bicycle tube patch kit.

The reason I posted what I did about Taylor fenders and West Marine is because I have actually done that, returned defective ones for replacements.

It was a surprise to me but the store manager read from a new Taylor fender's tag with the clause that the failure had to be from normal wear and tear not a puncture. Maybe St Augustine West marine is the only store adhering to the companies replacement policy. The checkout clerk was ready to replace it till the manager stepped in to the conversation.

Our dock neighbour has/had Dockmate fenders and they were junk. Defective, and when replaced they were even more defective. The vessel is a beautiful 1964 American Marine 55' Motorsailor - teak hull - that he thought he was properly protecting from the dock. Not so. (There was no actual damage done though.)

Tom.B said:

Fenders? Did somebody say Fenders?

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You started it....

HiDHo said:

It was a surprise to me but the store manager read from a new Taylor fender's tag with the clause that the failure had to be from normal wear and tear not a puncture. Maybe St Augustine West marine is the only store adhering to the companies replacement policy. The checkout clerk was ready to replace it till the manager stepped in to the conversation.

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Just go to a different West Marine.