What size ball fenders/buoy for 53’

[Streff]

Hello,

I am getting ready to order 2 ball fenders based on comments from forum members. I have read or received comments to include sizes such as 21”, 23”, 27”, 36”. Obviously the 21” would be best to handle for my wife but maybe not the best size for a 53’? I love the idea of the 36” for best protection. Someone mentioned that they only use 2 ball fenders, interesting idea as it would remove the need to manage fenders in the ED section.

Since I have zero experience with ball fenders and this Hatteras, I would appreciate any input or comments.
I have plenty of regular fenders.. I anticipate going through locks and thought ball fenders would be very useful.

Thank you

Streff

 

[Pascal]

I have three 34” for the 110 I run, they are monsters… very hard to handle. We have them permanently attached to our home dock which being a tee head requires heavy fenders.

For my 53 I have 24”, that’s plenty and easy to handler.

Beware of the Taylor Made fenders, I ve had issues with them not lasting very long when under constant pressure. The Polyforms are more expensive but so much better.

 

[Sadey]

You’ll spend a lot more upfront, but I can guarantee you the the benefits far out away the cost of inflatable fenders. Even the frailest of people can handle them and deflated they take up so much less space. They’re incredibly easy to inflate, you could probably use a hairdryer on the cold setting. I don’t know the size we are using for our 60’, sorry, but we purchased them from Megafend and they were the smallest ball they make. There are a number of other companies that make inflatable fenders. Just something to consider since you’re starting from scratch.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I agree with Dave. I used two 24" ball fenders for years. Then I bought the inflatables and now we don't even carry a fender that is not deflated. They are quick and easy to inflate as needed and much easier to stow. I don't like the look of fenders on deck so they must be stowed when not in use.

 

[Streff]

Thank you very much for the input. I must be behind the times as I thought all/most fenders are inflatable including the Taylor Made ball fenders that I looked at today at West marine.
I have seen fenders that inflate through a Dinghy-like port and firm core fenders but not sure if they made ball fenders like that.
Is there another type of fender that I am not familiar with?

Streff

 

[Sadey]

Most are filled with air. The ones Sky and I are talking about are more like tender/dinghy skin with a spring loaded air valve and significantly much lighter. They are surprisingly strong. Most super yachts use them

 

[Pascal]

We have a few of these on the 110 I run.
Very light, easy to store and easy to inflate although you really need a high speed 120v inflator. Down side is the price… I ve never seen them in a round shape though but the 24” tube diameter would work just fine

AERÉ 24" Diameter Heavy Duty Inflatable Fenders

Made from reinforced materials with Stainless Steel "D" ring on each end. Standard inflatable boat air valve for quick inflation and deflation.

aeredockingsolutions.com

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I use a Ryobi hand held air pump with the same 18v batteries that fit the other tools on the boat. Fills up fast and on the run if need be.

18V ONE+ High Volume Power Inflator

Expand your RYOBI 18V ONE+ System with the RYOBI 18V High Volume Power Inflator. This cordless tool is perfect for fast, high volume inflating and defla...

www.ryobitools.com

 

[Pascal]

I have a different ryobi inflator, a bit slower than the heavy 120v

 

[Fanfare]

First of all, you will need different fenders for different purposes. On my 50 ft Hatteras, the immediate predecessor of your 53, we usually use tubular inflatable fenders because they are easy to stow and handle. We put them sideways behind the ladder to the flybridge where they are simple to pull out as needed. On a fixed dock our rubrails usually let us slide in, approximately tie up, then add these tubular fenders as we finalize docking. I believe these fenders are about 18 in in diameter, 30 in in length. West Marine has stretchy colored sock covers to go over, makes cleaning easier. Always use enough line on them to be able to hang vertically and horizontally. A fender board is also useful if your dock pilings are rough, two fenders behind the board which then takes all the scrapes, nails do not pop fender.

Floating docks are something else! I guess they had not been invented in 1966. All my rubrails are the wrong height. Many floating docks have sharp uncushioned corners. They need a buffer. I bought four red spherical inflatable fenders from West Marine, about 27 in diameter at a guess. At a floating dock we drop them to the water then pull up about a foot which keeps them clean. Usually use three, tied to cleats. Forward breast, midship, stern keeping last for as needed or midship other side between me and the next slip just in case. Drawback to round ones is they take up a lot of space, they are awkward and they pop out of anything other than a flat wall. Great for going through locks though.

Back home we are on a waterway with trees growing out of a nature preserve across from us. People seem to be more afraid of hitting the trees than my boat so when permanently docked I hang all the red ones on the exposed side both as a warning and as a buffer. At least it warns them!

 

[Sadey]

MegaFend or Fort Lauderdale sells the balls.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I'm using these. Pick your size or sizes. I have a couple of different sizes.

Inflatable Fenders For Boats | Large Boat Fender | Marine | Custom Fender Covers | Boat Bumper | Buoy Fenders Yacht | Jet Ski Docks | Yacht Supplies Online

AERÉ Docking Solutions is the leading name in the marine industry. Browse our inflatable boat fenders, yacht fenders, boat bumpers, fender covers, and more.

aeredockingsolutions.com

 

[Streff]

Thank you all for the comments and education. I was walking back to the boat when I ran into a crew from a transient 82/85 Viking. He was inflating one of the large fenders that you are describing using a really small looking pump. This fender inflated in a few seconds. Wow.
I wonder if 21” fenders would suffice for a 53’?

Streff

 

[firbanks]

We have an arsenal of fenders for the 67’ CMY for everything from mooring to protecting the boat from the tender to rafting up. While almost all were polyform a-series (ball ) or f-series (ovals with eyes on both ends) of various sizes, I recently added a couple fendertex inflatable and was blown away at the combo of lightweight yet very strong. Very easy to inflate and to store. My kids (not that old) can very easily manipulate them when we are in narrow moorings. Very very happy with them and they will be core to the growth of my fender fleet (as long as my wife doesn’t murder me for buying more fenders). Link:

Fendertex Fenders | Inflatable Boat Fenders

Fendertex fenders offer a wide range of inflatable boat fenders that are ulralightweight. These highly customizable fenders take up minimal space compared to other fenders in the marine industry.

www.pyiinc.com

FYI - Picked up polyforms mainly from Craigslist (yacht brokers seem to accumulate and sell them) and sailorman in Fort Lauderdale, though pricing recently at sailorman has been high for polyforms.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Thank you all for the comments and education. I was walking back to the boat when I ran into a crew from a transient 82/85 Viking. He was inflating one of the large fenders that you are describing using a really small looking pump. This fender inflated in a few seconds. Wow.
I wonder if 21” fenders would suffice for a 53’?

Streff

I have some inflatables that are about 18 or 20" diameter and about 2 feet long.
They work well on our 53.... I like to stick them in the side decks when we go for a short cruise. Too much bigger and that wouldn't happen. Also if you are on the dock you can just flip them over the side rail, then climb aboard and do what you want with them.
I put one about midway up the port side and one closer to the end of the side walkways.
Also the one midship keeps the boat away from the dock 6 or 8 inches. A much larger one would affect that distance for good or bad, keep that in mind I guess.
The one toward the front I adjust the height on the hull to get the right fit, sometime wedge it between the hull and a post on the dock.

 

[JD5652]

For floating dock, I use (3) 36" polyform on my 58 LRC. She's a bit heavier than the 53. These have survived three hurricanes so far. Downside is that they are heavy. Upside is that they are heavy duty.

For fixed docks, I use 18" x 36" polyforms that I hang horizontally from the handrail with two Megafend rail hangers. that has worked well in transient situations with fixed docks.

I will probably go to the Aere or Megafend inflatables at some point for transient dockage.

For me, I like to have an assortment of fenders to use in unexpected situations that might crop up. Having a boat that runs only 9 knots and living in Florida, I like to have a hurricane setup on the boat .... just in case. Might sound crazy... but I'd rather be crazy than under-prepared. I also keep a set of 2" x 10" x 8 foot fender boards on board for more than crazy.

 

[Streff]

Many thanks to all of you that commented. I ordered 2 inflatables to start & see how it goes this season.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Like in that last picture, I think it partly depends on the height of your dock relative to your boat.... I got some of those quick fender rope adjusters, that really helps too.

 

[Bob Quinn]

 

[Bob Quinn]