Fender Boards

Search the forum for "fender boards" There was a previous discussion just recently. I've tried to put a link in but can't get it to work...

I started one a while back... LINK

BR has fender board similar to the one Dog described in his link above -- 2" x 8" x 8', except we didn't bother with using PT wood. We've sailed 25,000 miles with the fender board lashed to the rail on the stbd bow -- we've used it twice.

After all those miles our board has a nice silvery patina, is very soft to the touch and, most importantly, it contributes to BR's "look" as a serious crusing sailboat -- just what you want in a fender board.

PS. It also is very good at trapping dirt in the scuppers.

PPS. If you double click on the avatar you can see it there on the stbd rail. Very 'salty', eh?

Where will you keep the board? The determining factor of the length is usually storage. Mine are about 5 feet long and have been plenty.

What loads will they take? When weather deteriorates I get out of the slip and on the hook. YMMV. Absent serious weather, a 1x6 is plenty big enough. If you are going to weather hurricanes in the slip (assume doubled lines, chafe protection, yadda yadda yadda) maybe - MAYBE - you want a 2x6. If you are in an exposed location, thicker boards make sense.

I put the holes for lines just a few inches from the end of the boards. This has made keeping the fenders inside the ends of the boards more reliable.

nereussailor said:

I am considering making some fender boards so the pilings don't eat my boat.do any of you out there use them and if so, what are the approximate dimensions of the boards you use.

Dave

Click to expand...

I used a 2x6x8 treated. Two holes in each end and dangled from the lifelines with fenders on the inside. When I did not need it as a fender board, it worked as a boarding ramp (until someone stole it... now who would steal a freaking boarding ramp!!!!???).

- CD

Thanks everyone, I installed one fender board tonight that was built like SD's diagrams. I tied it off to the toe rail with the fenders behind it on the hull. I ended up using a 2x6 that I cut to 5' it's going to work out great for my slip. I'll store it on deck if I can, or in the aft berth with the rest of the sails and such.
Right now, it kind of looks out of place, it needs the weathering so it looks more at home on the boat.
Next project....... outboard motor mount on the aft rail for the dinghy motor.

Glad to help.

CD-

In the design on my blog, the fenders are tied to the board and prevent it from riding up or off the fenders under most circumstances.

PS-another photo of the BBQ meister motoring... has anyone ever seen a photo of him sailing his BBQ barge???

Two techniques that help keep the fenders between the board and your hull: 1) tie a small line between the top ends of your two fenders so than can't work their way apart and outside the end of your fender board.
2) Place the fenders so that the rub rail is against the higher third of the fender and the board is pressed against the lower third of the fender. This will prevent the board from riding up over the fenders. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew