![]() ![]() Dock bumpers are an inexpensive investment to make compared to the damage that can be caused if your boat gets dinged up while at the dock. Dock edging will come in dozens of styles and materials and is used to run horizontally the length of the dock. ![]() Boat dock fenders and dock bumpers are shorter, thicker, and can be mounted vertically or horizontally.īoat dock bumpers and dock edging are made from a variety of materials such as foam, PVC, Vinyl and rubber to name a few. This variety of materials allow manufacturers to design dock fenders for specific uses. Dock bumpers effectiveness is measured by Durometers. That is a scale (higher numbers are harder) that measures “hardness rating relative to a materials resistance to permanent indentation”. Manufacturers qualify their products as light, medium, or heavy duty based on that scale. PVC is the hardiest material for boat dock bumpers and can withstand harsh weather conditions, salt and UV light. Vinyl is another good choice and tends to keep its color. ![]() Foam is an expensive option and will need to be replaced every few years. Rubber is another option but the rubber can make marks on fiberglass boats. Dock edding can either lay flat against the dock or have an “L” shaped lip to protect your boat from the edge of the dock. Selecting the Right Dock Edging for Your Dockĭock edging can come coiled, or in pre-cut sticks. How do you determine the right combination of dock bumpers for your dock? Some variables to consider are weather conditions, tide shifts (you’ll need to cover more area with higher and lower tides), the size of your boat, the amount of traffic to and from the dock and in the marina, and how sheltered you are. Determine where the most likely impact points will be and make sure those parts of the dock are covered with dock edging. If you have a boat slip you will want to cover all 3 areas. For pilings, dock bumpers can be mounted in a vertical position or use a post bumper. ![]() The corner of the dock is probably the most dangerous point on the dock so it is important to protect it and your boat with a proper dock corner bumper or dock wheel. If you have a larger vessel, Duramax makes heavy duty dock fenders and dock bumpers. Contact us and we can special order those for you. Take a look at boat dock bumper warranty information, typically PVC dock dumpers last the longest, canvas or vinyl bumpers would need to be replaced more quickly. However you end up protecting your boat from the dock make sure you also have cleats on your dock line ready for a smooth tie-up. Boat fenders should also be placed on the outside of your boat for extra protection. Contact our sales team if you have any questions on dock bumpers or dock edging.When docking, check the tide charts to see how high or low you should place your fenders. If the tide goes out, your fenders could drop below the dock, letting the wood, metal, or concrete docking damage your hull. The right fender for your needs depends on one important question: how big is your boat? The size of your boat determines the length and diameter of the fender you’ll need. It also determines the number of fenders you’ll need to have onboard. This setup works perfectly for me in every situation I have encountered.Knowing these parameters prevents you from buying a size too small or too large, as well as from buying too many or too few fenders. I clip one to the mid-ship cleat and the other around the rear hand rail on my Super Sport. These will qiuckly clip securely around cleats and railings and stay put without needing any adjustment. Regardless of what type of bumper you go with I highly recommend getting a pair of Fender Tender clips ( ). I am sure the inflatable balls work better for rafting up. They work well for rafting up as well as long as board racks can be swung in. I have also traveled and tied up at many other docks and these always work great. When tied up correctly with two of these fenders my boat stays nicely off the dock. I tie up to a medium height wood dock every weekend that sees some pretty big wave action. No scratches on my boat while using them. I am on my 5th season with these and they are getting close to needing replacement because the eyelet is starting to tear out of one of them but they have worked great for me and seen tons of use. I like to use these large Dockmate Hinged Fenders ( i=87170). ![]()
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