The Best Way to Hang Fenders From a Boat Rail
- Prepare your route to the dock or into the lock so you know what side of your boat will be against the dock/wall. Have at least one fender for every ten feet of boat along the contact side. If you are "rafting," connecting with other boats, there may be a boat on each side. Have enough fenders on board so you can protect all sides of your boat when necessary. For "u" shaped docks with a rear walkway, hang one fender on each end of the transom to protect the rear of your boat. Size your fender appropriately. Fenders should be at least one inch in diameter per each five foot of boat length. In the case of fenders, bigger is better. The one inch per five-foot rule is a base formula for a minimum size of fender. More padding offers more protection.
- Inflate your fenders so they are ready when you need them. Use a portable air pump, a bicycle pump or the air hose at a gas station. Fill the fenders until they are just soft enough to squeeze. You want a little bit of give to provide a cushion instead of just another hard surface against your boat.
- Most fenders have hooks on both ends so you can decide how you want to hang the fender for a specific purpose. Hooks at both ends allow you to hang the fenders horizontally, or vertically. Some fenders have a channel through the center. Secure those fenders by sliding a dock line through the channel and tying off at each end. The channel type of fender also lets you to choose which direction you want to hang the fender. For special needs, some fenders have clip on attachments, or hang from the gunwale (side rim) of your boat. This gives boats with very shallow sides a place to hang a fender where rope fenders would be too long.
- One of the best knots to use to attach a boat fender is the quick release knot. It will hold the fender securely until you are ready to pull it in, and release it fast. Another common knot used to secure fenders is the bowline knot. The bowline knot is not a quick release. Use it when you want to secure your fenders in place and leave them there permanently, or for the season.