Can you help identify this item

[Streff]

I found 2 of these items on the boat. I am not completely sure of their function. Maybe a form of fendering against pylons or boarding steps?

 

[doc g]

Fender boards, you put fenders on the boat , two or more , then hang the board between the dock and the fenders....................Pat

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Looks like one of those boards that you can put on the rub rail.

 

[Streff]

Thank you much for the replies. I understand better where it can go. I will try it out and see how it goes. But is this something that you all use and thus worth keeping?

 

[Fanfare]

It all depends on your dock and the weather. If a dock has a smooth wood pilings just use a regular fender on each pile. Some docks have concrete pilings. They will tear up your boat's rubrail. Use a fender board there. Many boards have metal strips on the other side so the wood does not get abraded.
Now you are at your dock and a storm is coming. Put down two tubular fenders vertically, use your fender board horizontally across the piling, adjust fenders so each is +/- 20% from the board's end, thus splitting the load over two fenders. If a hurricane is coming use four fenders if they will fit or use a second board. Wind and waves can put a tremendous strain on your boat's hull pushing against an unyielding dock. Use the air in your fenders to spread this across a greater area to prevent damage.

 

[Len R]

When docking along poles tie 2 fenders to a rail then tie the Bumper Board to the rail outside the fender points. The board should lay along the pole allowing the boat to be protected by the fenders