Fender Boards

[PMF1984]

My Pilgrim 40 came with two 2x10 fender boards.

Seems undersize for a blow. When I was the Wharfinger on Cuttyhunk I made fender boards with 4 feet of 3x8 fir dock decking (not pressure treated in those days).

Five feet of pot warp at each end and I was in business for a good NorEaster. which really beat those outside boats into the dock.)

So I was thinking finding some fir 3x8 or oak 2x8. Thoughts? Be most interested in "fails."

 

[DavidM]

You might be surprised that pressure treated yellow pine has essentially the same strength as oak. That is what I would use, and a heck of a lot cheaper than oak.

David

 

[PMF1984]

Well Southern Yellow pine is certainly strong, but something happens to it during the pressure treatment process. Sometimes the pilings I dealt with would snap.

I can get oak from a local sawmill, and I like the way it bends without breaking (The f(psi) figure I have for white oak is 15,200 for a clear specimen.)

 

[GFC]

Mine are 2x6 hemlock that I picked up at the local Lowe's. I've used them a couple of times but never in a strong blow. They seem to work just fine.

 

[Lepke]

Oak only bends w/o breaking when it's green and large bends when it's green and steamed.

 

[BandB]

An alternative to fender boards is very long fenders to be hung horizontally and serve the same as boards would. Also, there are different shapes, just as flat. The negative of that as an alternative is they do become very expensive.

 

[O C Diver]

Lot to be said for Polyform F-8 fenders (15" × 58") horizontally tucked under the rub rail. Equally good on a piling, a dock, or rafting up.



Ted

 

[BandB]

Lot to be said for Polyform F-8 fenders (15" × 58") horizontally tucked under the rub rail. Equally good on a piling, a dock, or rafting up.

View attachment 67627

Ted

And you can get them up to 20' long if that's what you want, but several shorter ones along the side work well and much better to deal with than a board. Store easier.

 

[BandB]

Lot to be said for Polyform F-8 fenders (15" × 58") horizontally tucked under the rub rail. Equally good on a piling, a dock, or rafting up.

View attachment 67627

Ted

And you can get them up to 20' long if that's what you want, but several shorter ones along the side work well and much better to deal with than a board. Store easier.

 

[koliver]

And you can get them up to 20' long if that's what you want, but several shorter ones along the side work well and much better to deal with than a board. Store easier.

You can make your Trawler into a very large RIB with those. Then you will never need fenders again.

 

[AusCan]

I built a 2 x 10 fender board out of a local hardwood (Grey Box), from a tree that fell in the backyard. Very strong, hard, and dense; I thought I'd check to make sure it floats. I slowly lowered it into the water holding on to an attached line, and it sunk like a stone. I just have to make sure I don't drop it overboard.

 

[Panacea123]

PVC pipe

This works for me
Much better than flat fender boards in a big blow if not in a slip

 

[hfoster]

This works for me
Much better than flat fender boards in a big blow if not in a slip

Nice! What size pipe did you use?

Cheers.

H.

 

[Panacea123]

Nice! What size pipe did you use?

Cheers.

H.

4 inch
Were on the boat when I bought it
Never used fender boards before, always frustrated with the fenders shifting around pillings. These work great. Only use them when not in a slip where I can't cross tie. Pic is at my home where I keep my boat.

 

[psneeld]

I sometimes just tie 2 fenders together real tight.

The piling stays in the skinny part between fenders and there is still 1/2 the fenders to protect the boat.

Allows the boat to be much closer to the dock.

Not for big blows, but general use.

 

[tadhana]

We use 4 foot 2x4. I was concerned about this given that we are a 30,000 pound boat. but they have served 8 years. Nearly 100 locks. One tropical storm (Sandy) and on near miss hurricane Irene. Mind you that if we were in a very exposed slip, I would be very concerned about their adequate strength, however they have been used hard. They are light weight too.

 

[kev_rm]

This works for me
Much better than flat fender boards in a big blow if not in a slip

Brilliant

 

[FF]

I have found it difficult to obtain pressure treated material that in not heart wood, the center of the tree.

Paying extra for a board with strength is worth the effort.

 

[Donsan]

PVC pipe is stronger than pressurized pine?

 

[dvd]

Here's a pic of some fender boards I made out of scrap pine 2X2 for a previous boat (made them for a specific piling situation with an older, heavier trawler). They ended up being very handy with the powercat when we did the Erie, Oswego and Trent-Severn canals.

In the photo I'm trial-fitting them in preparation for entering the Erie canal. They held up incredibly well for about 150 locks that summer.

PS: I ended up tying them direct to the upper loop on the fenders.That way they rode with the fenders when I adjusted height.

 

[hfoster]

4 inch
Were on the boat when I bought it
Never used fender boards before, always frustrated with the fenders shifting around pillings. These work great. Only use them when not in a slip where I can't cross tie. Pic is at my home where I keep my boat.

Cool and thanks Panacea.

Yes. I can see they do work great. Great job.

Oh, is it schedule 40 or 80 pvc?


Cheers

H.