Swim platform edge fenders?

[Bob Quinn]

I keep our dinghy, currently a Boston Whaler tied up behind the swim platform.
Regular round fenders tend to get pushed out of the way and the tender just doesn't sit well with them.

I have been searching for something that would run along the edge of the swim platform, like a bump rail kind of scenario. Haven't found anything yet.

I thought I would check here before I go screwing a 12' long x 1.25 diameter piece of clear braided tube to my swim platform.

There has to be a better way!

Anyone have a good solution for this?

 

[Captain Ralph]

I'm not pushing WorstMarine but this is my example;
https://www.westmarine.com/plastimo...e_demandware_net__WestMarine__products__en_US
I sold and installed a sheet pile of these to our floating dock customers.
No more hanging fenders. Just back in and tie up.
I often wondered if they work on a swim platform.

 

[SEVEN]

I happen to be selling this one on craigslist for $100. However, I’m on the West Coast probably wouldn’t be feasible for you to buy it but they work great for what you’re looking to do.

 

[Sadey]

Look up Dock Edge, Walmart had the best price. I had YRM of Fort Lauderdale make the pockets the whips go in.

 

[Bob Quinn]

I happen to be selling this one on craigslist for $100. However, I’m on the West Coast probably wouldn’t be feasible for you to buy it but they work great for what you’re looking to do.

I've eyeballed those a few times. I think they would work for keeping the dinghy straight.
I don't think they would work for drunk bob docking dinghy after dark. LOL

 

[Bob Quinn]

Look up Dock Edge, Walmart had the best price. I had YRM of Fort Lauderdale make the pockets the whips go in.

That is a nice setup!

 

[Bob Quinn]

Looking for something like these, but heavier duty maybe

 

[Bob Quinn]

I'm not pushing WorstMarine but this is my example;
https://www.westmarine.com/plastimo...e_demandware_net__WestMarine__products__en_US
I sold and installed a sheet pile of these to our floating dock customers.
No more hanging fenders. Just back in and tie up.
I often wondered if they work on a swim platform.

That doesn't look bad, similar to what Seven posted below.

 

[Briankinley2004]

I have a fold up ladder on my swim platform and tie a large fender to it for my application. I also have a dock near the bow of my skiff to help.

Dock builders around here use a product similar to this one to wrap docks in.

https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Made-Commercial-Grade-Double-Molded-Edging/dp/B00DF7MSO6/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_1/144-9059474-4799518?pd_rd_w=RG5Vd&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=T2C7WH1YR2R5GYVPXC5T&pd_rd_wg=i7uY8&pd_rd_r=7850df9a-0867-47d2-9669-6724ce27d592&pd_rd_i=B0D2XJYXCP&th=1

 

[Bob Quinn]

I have a fold up ladder on my swim platform and tie a large fender to it for my application. I also have a dock near the bow of my skiff to help.

Dock builders around here use a product similar to this one to wrap docks in.

https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Made-Commercial-Grade-Double-Molded-Edging/dp/B00DF7MSO6/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_1/144-9059474-4799518?pd_rd_w=RG5Vd&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=T2C7WH1YR2R5GYVPXC5T&pd_rd_wg=i7uY8&pd_rd_r=7850df9a-0867-47d2-9669-6724ce27d592&pd_rd_i=B0D2XJYXCP&th=1

Thank you, that style could work, however I can't find any that's less than about 2 5/8 tall, and the swim platform is only 1.25 thick. You would think they would have smaller sizes too!

 

[Bob Quinn]

Taco Marine couldn't help me but referred me to www.hamiltonmarine.com

They are an all around marine supplier.

when I got to the rub rail section they had 17 pages worth of products.

I also found the foam wrapped in white cloth stuff I have been looking for that I didn't know existed.

 

[Bob Quinn]

If I use that heavy duty polyester gunwale guard, am I going to ruin my swim platform with the 50 or 100 plus screws it's going to take to screw it on? The directions say put screws in every 3 to 4 inches.

What is the internal structure of the fiberglass swim platforms? Are they cored with foam, ply wood, or just solid glass?

 

[Pascal]

I ve used the fenders Seven posted, best option

 

[Bob Quinn]

I ve used the fenders Seven posted, best option

Yeah, I think it's boiling down to that.
I "found" some made by Dolphin that were about 5" diameter, 3/4 round type for about 35 bucks,
ordered 3 and when I got them they were hard molded plastic, useless for the intended purpose.
So returned to Amazon.

Don't like the price on the ones Seven posted, but out of options other than the "put 100 holes in the platform. Grrrr.

 

[bigbill]

for a temporary, quick, cheap, fix, buy some large hollow pool noodles and split it lenghtwise on one side, slip it over the edge of the platform. pull it off when not in use

 

[Bob Quinn]

Good idea!

I bet that $3 solution would work better than spending 3 x $150 for the fancy (and ugly) bumpers LOL.

I might have to do that. I'm just having a hard time spending that kind of dough for something I'm going to look at, hate, and trip over.

 

[Timeless72]

Search "jumbo clamp foam protection" on Amazon. Super cheap and different colors available. We use for protection against a fiberglass tender. Works great with a few zip ties.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Search "jumbo clamp foam protection" on Amazon. Super cheap and different colors available. We use for protection against a fiberglass tender. Works great with a few zip ties.

Those look like they would do the trick.

Found these too, but one 15" lengths...

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Look up Dock Edge, Walmart had the best price. I had YRM of Fort Lauderdale make the pockets the whips go in.

That doesnt look like Fort Lickerdale!

 

[Bob Quinn]

I finally broke down and went for the Tailormade transom fenders.

Overtons had them for $110, and got 15% off for 4th of July sale. They also had a standard 10% off for new buyers I could have used if the 4th of July sale wasn't going on.

2 pieces delivered $200

I did buy the other 3/4 round stuff too, but the big fenders I think will offer better protection when approaching the swim platform. I'll post pic's when installed.