Sphere Fenders

[davidpm]

New boat has round, as in ball, fenders about 14" diameter.

I don't see any advantage to them over the standard tube style.

Why are they made, what am I missing?

[Valiente]

They will roll not only back and forth, but up and down, which is useful when docked in a place with swells and tidal ranges.

I got this opinion from Cruiserlog.com:

"Like most things, there is no right answer or just one kind of fender that will do everything you need.

I have a couple of big round red ones (commercial fishing style) to use up near the bow flare when I have bowsed the bow into the dock to do some work there, or if I have the tender tied up near the bow when backing in for Med style docking. Also used for buoying off anchor or beach lines if needed.

The classical cylindrical ones are best for rolling along the dock when you are first coming in and give you the most forgiving height variation.

I also carry a few of those solid flat rectangular fender pads, that are great when you need to protect your bright sides and deck during yard work or taking on fuel from a barge.

About hanging your fenders, the stronger the anchor point the better, so I tend to go more for the base of a stanchion or a chainplate if possible.

If I can, the first thing I do when all secure is to retie my cylindrical fenders onto the dock using both ends so that they are not touching the water and try to tie the boat so that they are not touching the fender. I also have a stretchy cloth kind of fender covers that helps with the UV."

[Faster]

I, too, think the spherical fenders (Scotsmans, we call them) are better for any situation where you might be rolling against a dock. They were recommended by a boat painter immediately after an Awlgrip job as being easier on the finish because of their "rolling in all axes" as opposed to the cylindrical fender's "scrubbing" action as you roll against them.

But if you're in a tight moorage situation these round fenders are generally fatter, and will leave your boat further off the dock. Some marinas have minimal allowance for fenders as it is. Also the round ones don't stow as compactly in some spaces.

btw for inexpensive covers for your cylindrical fenders, check out a used/consignment or discount sports store for ice hockey socks (the type without the foot strap). The stretch quite nicely over most common fender sizes.

[Plumper]

Originally Posted by Valiente

If I can, the first thing I do when all secure is to retie my cylindrical fenders onto the dock using both ends so that they are not touching the water and try to tie the boat so that they are not touching the fender."

A friend near me on the docks tied his fenders up at both ends to the dock and one rubbed a huge wear mark in his hull because it couldn't move with the boat. An expensive lesson.

[Valiente]

That wasn't me speaking...that was a quote from cruiserlog.com. I don't do that for the reasons you mention. I get enough of the cove stripe on my cylindrical fenders as it is, which is why I'm thinking of going from a couple of "spheres" to all spheres. Frankly, my tub already looks like a trawler, and the spheres shout "serious commercial vessel" more than Taylor-mades, irrespective of their other virtues.