Which fender style do you prefer?

[SupraFly]

I'm looking to buy fenders for my boat (it's new enough that I haven't needed them yet). I have some of the traditional round fenders, but they are so bulky. My 2017 230 doesn't have all the storage space of a G boat, so space is important to me.

I'm inclined to prefer the Hull Hugger style due to less bulk, but I'm concerned about their performance. Does the bend of the fender leave the rub rail too unprotected?

I'm inclined to prefer the known performance of the traditional fenders, but I don't like their bulk.

What has been your experiences with either of these products?

Thanks for the help.


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[core-rider]

Where and how will these be used? I prefer the hippity hop balls like Exile Audio offers for boat raft up situations. I don't know that I'd trust them against a dock for extended periods of time because they are softer material that could be prone to puncture. In that case a large traditional style fender is better. The exile balls are nice becasue they can be inflated/deflated at will for easier storage too... Just keep an air pump on board. They are also less expensive than traditional fenders... It really all depends on your purpose/use.

[SupraFly]

I will not be using them for extended periods of time. I have a lift at my place.

This may be for a few hours at a friends place. Or lashed up with other boats anchored. Or filling up at the gas dock, while I run in to get the kids some drinks and a snack...

I don't love the idea of the balls because it seems to me they'd be easy to roll up above the rub rail leaving the boat fully exposed.


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[core-rider]

They aren't too bad to roll up... As long as the boat is tied securely and the waves aren't pounding you they work fine. While rafted up at wake events I tie as tightly as I can to keep ropes from jerking the boats as waves come by. This compresses the balls well enough that there isn't a problem with them rolling up. I've only had that issue when they weren't compressed and yes it would happen, but only with large wakes tossing boats.

[Nautiquehunter]

I like Accurate boat bumpers inflatable bumpers . Simply pull the plug on the bottom to release the air and they flatten to the size of a pancake. Vinyl blow up tube wrapped with a canvas cover . I have had mine for years . I went with the Medium size for my 210.

[rlwagens]

Exile bumper balls. I've used them for 2 years now for random tie ups and leaving the boat tied to houseboat for 4 days at a time, never had them roll up or get damaged yet.


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[heel5man]

The Exile balls are great for tie ups, but I have had them roll up and sit on the dock when waves were rocking.

For our G23, I have gone to using the big G5 sized fenders, which I think are about 9x27. I use four of them, two in front and two in the back -- and also use four of the Stretch n Slide ties in the same locations. This works great for when we go dock at the marina for a few hours.

For your 230, you'll probably want smaller fenders because of the smaller storage areas, but you might enjoy the stretch n slides.

Here is a link to those:
Greenfield SNS-B Stretch n' Slide Rafting Line https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015G7P1U..._926KzbW4FG08Z


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[GemCitySurf]

Traditional/cylindrical. I keep two in a storage tray and the two up front. Only use two at a time. Four would be for tie-up.


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