How to manage fenders (retrieve & deploy) on an ED Hatteras?

[Streff]

Good morning folks,I would like to learn from you how best to pull up the fenders once we get underway and how best to deploy fenders as we come into a fuel dock or marina slip. My wife normally handles the fenders & lines.. Our previous vessels had side decks, the Extended deck is going to require a different approach to be effective & safe.Thank you in advance.Streff

 

[SKYCHENEY]

We deploy one at the stern from the little aft deck and one amidships. That is all you need as long as they are large enough. I used to use the big ball fenders, then I went to the inflatables that we can quickly inflate/deflate when needed. Those are much easier to store.

 

[carolinacoast]

I use 3 balls. Stern cleat, i use fender line on fwd side of that one. Bow is largest and tied to stanchion fwd of the spring cleat. With current i sometimes need to pivot on Bow fender to back off dock. And mid ship cleat.
If a tender needs to raft, I walk out on side and tie a ball there. Clove hitch on railing with a bend. My sizes might be A2, mid, a3 stern, a6 bow. Enough for storm prep too and add 2 more. The salon size is still fantastic. Fender deployment becomes automatic and no big deal.

 

[Pascal]

My 53 has side decks but the Lazzara 116 I run doesn’t. We only set fenders when going to a floating dock since the boat has a beefy rub tail for pilings. At floaties we set them at either end of the catwalk and if needed add one from the dock. This eliminates any acrobatics on the catwalk even though my younger crews can handle it better than I do

I ve also added folding D pads on the aft decks to make it easier to rig fenders as needed

As to storage, it’s an issue on the 53, I hate deck clutter. I store some of the fenders in the anchor locker and some up on the bridge

 

[Streff]

Thank you very much for the great info. I had visions of deploying & retrieving from the salon windows. I would prefer to have another fender mid-ship as this vessel is new to us, to avoid too much excitement when docking. Maybe use a boat hook to pull that fender aft or to the pilot house opening, hook it up on something then release it and push it toward mid-ship to deploy. Thanks again, Streff

 

[carolinacoast]

Mid ship is pilothouse. You can always msecure a bow line, and use the the outboard engine in reverse to eventually get the boat to a t-head or fuel dock. Then make a plan for the slip of the day. Everyone wants to help.

Maybe spend 2 hours with a boat captain and dock to crab pots up and down current to get confident. I added a backup camera with a view of the entire platform. It's an angled flag mast that's varnished and I just deploy when helpful.

 

[Pascal]

Thank you very much for the great info. I had visions of deploying & retrieving from the salon windows. I would prefer to have another fender mid-ship as this vessel is new to us, to avoid too much excitement when docking. Maybe use a boat hook to pull that fender aft or to the pilot house opening, hook it up on something then release it and push it toward mid-ship to deploy. Thanks again, Streff

Keep in kind that fenders are real only needed on floating docks or just raw concrete which is rare. At the typical US marinas with wooden pilings, you don’t need to set them before docking whether in a slip or alongside. If anything they get in the way if you need to slide forward or aft.

I never use fenders at my hope slip between pilings.

 

[svaron]

Good morning folks,I would like to learn from you how best to pull up the fenders once we get underway and how best to deploy fenders as we come into a fuel dock or marina slip. My wife normally handles the fenders & lines.. Our previous vessels had side decks, the Extended deck is going to require a different approach to be effective & safe.Thank you in advance.Streff

I have a 54ED and always use 2 ball fenders. One off the rail by the stern cleat and the other midship on the rail by the midship cleat. In 20 years I have never had a need for anything else when docking to a floating dock. As was said earlier, against a fixed pier for temporary tie up for fuel, etc. I don't use fenders. If I am staying overnight, I use 2 medium size blow up mega fenders.
At a floating dock overnight, a might add some additional fenders which will be depend on the boat traffic wake.

 

[Big Chief]

Also, if possible, never use a hand rail, life line or any other convenient structure to hang a fender, bumper or other protection. Use the cleats; as over time, the rails will fail, may break, bend and the bases that hold the rails to the deck will loosen, crack the fiberglass where it is connected and allow further compromise of the deck.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Also, if possible, never use a hand rail, life line or any other convenient structure to hang a fender, bumper or other protection. Use the cleats; as over time, the rails will fail, may break, bend and the bases that hold the rails to the deck will loosen, crack the fiberglass where it is connected and allow further compromise of the deck.

I find that hard to believe. The stanchions are attached just like a cleat with an aluminum backing plate. This is a Hatteras. These are tough. I've been tying to them for the last 22 years and mine are just as tight as when I bought the boat and no stress cracks.

 

[Phasma2128]

I’m under the same belief. I’ve used the rail for many years to tie fenders without a problem. The admiral does use the base of the stanchions though

 

[Sadey]

I agree with the sturdiness of our rails. There were a couple of times I thought the railing was going to snap from of the pressure on the fender in the lock. I had custom fender hangers made from Megafend and I try and locate them as close to the stanchions as possible.

 

[Big Chief]

Gentlemen: better safe than sorry. Fenders get caught and will stress, bend and crack railings; I've seen it happen over the past 65 years.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Gentlemen: better safe than sorry. Fenders get caught and will stress, bend and crack railings; I've seen it happen over the past 65 years.

On a Hatteras? I doubt it. I've never seen a broken or bent stantion on one that wasn't storm damaged or otherwise abused.

 

[Pascal]

the only way fenders can get caught hard is if someones get in and out of a slip with pilings and fenders deployed. A big no no. That’s why we have these run rails…. Other wise against a sea wall or a floating dock the fenders will just roll around.

 

[Glory]

I have deployed a fender from the bridge to accomade ideal protection I store one in the inflatable with a long enough line, marked for the rudrail and at water height. For me this only when the dock has a break or sometimes at raft ups.