Megafend

[Pete]

Anyone have experience with Megafend or similar inflatable fenders. The advantage I see is less weight as the Admiral handles the fenders preparing for docking. The downside that concerns me is the lighter weight may lead to problems with wind kicking out the fenders from between the boat and dock. Another advantage is the larger diameter inflatable fenders will solve the problem of short dock piling that have tops below our rub rail.

As a reference, we currently use Taylor Big B 12x34 fenders.

Thanks

 

[MikeP]

I have no personal experience but the guy next to us at the marina replaced his Big Bs with inflatables and he loves them. He anchors out/rafts up regularly so he definitely uses his fenders. As you noted, he likes the light weight and ease of storage.

 

[Scarlett]

If I remember correctly the ones that held up best were made of Hypalon, the same thing that dingys are made of, you might want to research that. Only problem I can see with Hypalon is it is a little porous and slowly will leak air, not bad but more than say PVC. John

 

[SEVEN]

Because of the size where would store them? Do you deflate each time your done?

 

[kelpy]

Inflate and deflate with a small wet/dry vacuum. It only takes a few minutes. They only need about 2 PSI.
You should be handling the fenders while the wife docks the boat!

 

[Pete]

On storage, inflate/deflate would be using a small electric pump made for the purpose and done when the boat is going to sit in its slip for a couple of days or more. It's home slip has tie poles and I do not use fenders.

When cruising they would get stored in a 12' Noverania RIB center console on the boat deck, which has an overall cover with plenty of room under it.

The top priority is the weight reduction, as our 48 LRC has no side decks which contributes to the challenge of placing fenders when underway, even at idle. We do have a gunnel sail rail on each side but you can imagine the Admiral trying to hold on with one hand, while holding on to a heavy fender in the other to be attached under the gunnel. Most recently she has gone to using a long line attached to the handrail reachable on the boat deck, and I reconfigure the fenders once in the slip and again when departing.

Pete

 

[Pete]

Kelpy, since my wife does not read this forum, I am free to offer a candid response. Let me share, I do not ride in a vehicle with my wife driving. Enough said.

Pete

 

[kelpy]

Roger that!!

 

[SEVEN]

Kelpy, since my wife does not read this forum, I am free to offer a candid response. Let me share, I do not ride in a vehicle with my wife driving. Enough said.

Pete

Heads up Pete someone might blow the whistle. Lol

 

[jim rosenthal]

Check out Subsalve.com- they make these out of the same material they use for salvage bags- I have four of them, they are terrific. Use a Halkey-Roberts valve, and have D-rings sewn in. AND you can get sleeves for them. Would not be without them.