Boat fenders are, therefore, very important equipment. Unlike automotive fenders, boat fenders are usually cylindrical, round, or oval, and can be set up either horizontally or vertically depending on their intended purpose.

This article seeks to explore different types of boat fenders, how to use them, and which ones will suit your needs.

Fender sizing is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to choosing the right boat fenders. Although many sailors will strongly recommend having the biggest and sturdiest fenders you can afford, there are a few more things you should factor into your final decision.

Docking in chop is hectic enough without having the right boat fenders. Big waves and strong winds obviously require boat fenders that are big enough to provide adequate protection. You can get away with using smaller fenders in gentler mooring conditions. In any case, the more fenders you have the better prepared you will be.

Heavier boats need more stopping power, so they warrant the use of bigger boat fenders. The weight of your boat is therefore directly tied to the size of the fenders you should get. Heavier boats need bigger fenders and vice versa.

The most common metric applied when selecting appropriate boat fenders is the length of the boat. Here’s a quick rundown of how boat length and fender size relate:

These are highly recommended for smaller, lighter vessels (20 – 25′ max). Double-eye fenders have holes on either end, making them capable of being hung horizontally using two fender lines or vertically with one fender line.

Designed for larger and heavier vessels, center hole fenders are typically strung horizontally to cover bigger portions of the hull. However, they are still ideal for mooring against flat surfaces like docks, because they can be hung vertically by running a fender line through the middle and tying off the ends with figure 8 knots.

Hybrids are a cross between cylindrical and round fenders. They tend to have a larger diameter, making them better suited for rough moorings and heavier vessels.

Round fenders have a single hole through which the line is strung. These are ideal for use on a wide range of vessels.

Specialty fenders are custom-made to suit the different style specifications of different vessels. For instance, vessels with low freeboards can benefit from the added gunwale and rub rail protection by including a specialty fender. Commonly used specialty fenders include transom fenders, which are fenders for the stern (or swim platform) of your boat.

Now that we know the different types of boat fenders that are available, the next important question is this: what brand should I buy?
You’re not short of options when it comes to boat fender brands. However, should you lack the technical knowledge to identify good boat fenders by merit alone, there are a couple of brands that you can always trust.

Taylor Made Boat fenders are arguably the best in the business. The company makes both round cylindrical and oval cylindrical fenders for vessels as small as 10 feet dinghies to massive 50-foot cruisers.

Taylor Made boat fenders can be bought from one of their physical locations or ordered online through Amazon or eBay. If you don’t have a lot of time to go through different options, this is a leading boat equipment company with years in the game, so you can trust that they have high-quality products. [Amazon Link]

USA-based Polyform Boat Fenders is a globally recognized company that excels in manufacturing high-quality boat fenders for differently sized vessels. They specialize in creating fenders for even the smallest of watercraft, so if you’re looking for boat fenders for small boats, this is an excellent place to start. [Amazon Link]

Like Taylor Made Boat fenders, Polyform boat fenders can be purchased online from the company’s main website as well as from Amazon and eBay.

Different situations call for different fender configurations, but the rule of thumb here is that more fenders equal less damage to the hull. Ideally, you should always be able to use the best fenders in your inventory whether you’re mooring in or rafting with other boats.
Here’s what you need to pay attention to when tying a fender to your boat.

The best way to secure a fender to your boat is by using a half hitch knot. The reason why this is the most ideal knot is because it is relatively easy to master. Besides, you can always use one of these rope tie-down tools from Amazon to make your job a little bit easier.

Two things need to be given special attention when it comes to positioning boat fenders: their quantity and their distance from the surface of the water.
It is recommended that you use one fender for every 10 feet of waterline. The minimum number of fenders to use on a boat is three, with one on maximum beam, one on fore, and a third on the aft. This set up varies depending on the mooring conditions as well as the situation. Of course, the number of fenders needed will go up as the length of the boat increases.

When hanging boat fenders, make sure that they’re at least 1 or 2 inches above the surface of the water. The reason for this is to keep the dock from interfering by pushing the fenders up while preventing growth at the bottom of the fenders.
One more thing to note is that fenders should be tied as low as is possible as this minimizes arc swing and keeps the fenders in position.

• DOCKING – Use at least three fenders, one on the aft, one on maximum beam, and one on fore. Three are sufficient in most cases, though if you feel the need to use more than three, there’s no harm. Ensure that the fenders are hung vertically for smooth-surface or floating piers and horizontally when tying against docks with exposed pilings. You’re better off using a specialty fender for decks with cleats and other fittings.

• RAFTING – Rafting with other boats requires the fenders to be deployed on the anchored boat. Three standard fenders should be lined a few centimeters from each other along the maximum beam, while two round fender buoys should be hung at aft and fore to hinder the boats from crashing into each other.

Fenders aren’t that expensive, but even so, it pays to store them the right way.
Polyform fenders should be stored safely away from direct sunlight. You can use foldable or non-foldable fender racks for this.

Why go for the foldable type? Because once the fenders are deployed, you can fold them out of the way to create more space on the deck. Unfortunately, the foldable storage racks tend to be flimsy, which is why non-foldable racks are available. These are much sturdier and more expensive, but they take up a lot of space whether the fenders are deployed or not.

There are a number of places where you can buy boat fenders from, but a few options stand out. These are West Marine, a US-based boating supply company with over 300 retail outlets in North America, Canada, and Puerto Rico alone, and Overton’s, watersports, marine electronics, and boating accessories superstore in the US.

Online, brand name boat fenders can be bought straight off of Amazon, eBay, and even Walmart, so you can purchase from anywhere in the world and get it shipped to you.

Remember, you can never have too many boat fenders. Bigger fenders are generally better at keeping your hull intact, but it’s good to have a mix of big and small as well as round and cylindrical fenders to cover multiple purposes and situations.