Pontoon fenders are necessary to ensure that there is no structural damage to your vessel and to other neighboring vessels as well. These can help prevent scuffing especially during boating runs or when the sea is rough and you would need to moor the boat in unknown surroundings.
Consider fenders as an additional security and insurance for your boats. However we are so busy getting excited about the next boating trip that one almost always forget about them. The least some people do is just pick about any fender and throw it on the sides of their boats without considering the proper size and width of the boats. This way pontoons are not protected by the fenders because of improper numbers.
There are different kind of pontoon fenders. It’s necessary to know which one of those are feasible for your boats. This would help offer better protection by suiting their exact purpose for which these are to be used. The following is a low down on using fenders:
- The general rule of size is that for every five feet of boat length it’s necessary to have a fender with one inch diameter. This goes true for all cylindrical fenders.
- In all even the smallest of boats would require at least three fenders. One which is placed at the widest beams of the boat, the other one at the front and one at the back. It is generally advised that there should be one fender for every ten feet of water line.
There are standard fenders known as cylindrical fenders. These are also known as double-hole fenders. These are great for the smaller boats and have an eyelet on each side. This allows the fender to be hung horizontally when required. These fenders are usually ribbed which allow these to have better stability.
Cylindrical fenders with a central-hole. This allows the rope to slide easily from the middle tube. Several fenders can be slided together for a longer boat.
Hybrid cylindrical fenders. As the name suggests these are quite like cylindrical fenders but have a much softer edge. These are smoother in shape just like a ball fender and do not have ribs for better stability.
Ball fenders are also known as round cylindrical fenders. These are made from plastic or vinyl. While aesthetically pleasing these fenders don’t offer much protection. These may work for the smaller vessels but do nothing for the bigger ones.
Transom fenders are more expensive when compared to other fenders. However, these are best for people who usually moor their boats at docks a great deal. The only drawback to these sturdy fenders is their size. These are considerably larger than other fenders and storage can often be an issue.
Flat fenders are rectangular in shape. These are designed in such a way that these don’t roll over during movement and attach to the sides of the boat. Plus these are flat and can be stored easily to be used whenever required.
Wondering where to get pontoon fenders on the Gold Coast? Conduct research online and by asking referrals from friends.