If you’re reading this, odds are you understand how gratifying boat ownership can be. Not only is there the enjoyment of using your vessel, there’s the satisfaction gained from working on it, making it better, and updating it with technology and hardware that improve the overall experience. But all of those positives can drain away if you’re worried that it’s not well protected from factors you can’t control. With this in mind, we’ll focus on two items that don’t cost much, but go a long way when it comes to protecting your boat, and your pocket.
We’re talking about boat “bumpers” and “fenders”. Both are sturdy, heavy-duty cushions that sit between a boat and dock platform to prevent rubbing and are designed to absorb the kinetic energy of a boat bouncing against the dock it’s moored to. Not everyone fully knows the difference between a boat bumper and a boat fender, and that these two terms should not be used interchangeably. Simply put, boat fenders are attached to a boat, whereas boat bumpers (commonly known as dock bumpers) are attached to a dock.
Let’s take a closer look at each.
Boat Fenders
Boat fenders are floatable buoy cushions that hang between a boat and the dock platform to prevent damage while the boat is docked. Even if your boat already has loads of fenders tied to its sides, you'll often find it's beneficial to have a few extra ones on hand. And in addition to preventing unwanted dock contact, bumpers are excellent at protecting your boat and close neighboring ones from collision damage should powerful waves push them into one another.
Numerous boat fender styles exist, including traditional cylindrical inflatable fenders, molded EVA foam fenders, round or sphere boat fenders, and foam flat fenders. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks.
Cylindrical Fenders
Cylindrical inflatable rubber bumpers are the most popular type of fender, and are typically circular with two flat ends secured via ropes or webbing. These are commonly seen in marinas or docking areas where boats may rub against each other. They can be inflated as needed to compensate for adjustments in air pressure and temperature.
Advantages: Most boat owners choose cylindrical fenders for their boats because they are inexpensive and durable – typically lasting many years. There’s also a wide choice of lengths and thicknesses to choose from.
Disadvantages: They can be punctured or cut, and can possibly sink when punctured if they are held tightly enough.
Freeboard Fenders
Typically L-shaped, freeboard bumpers are flat along the bottom and stand approximately 15-24 inches tall. They have no buoyancy and cannot float – instead, they are designed to sit high above the water level, wrapping over the corners of a boat’s gunwale.
Advantages: Freeboard bumpers are inexpensive, and normally last one to two seasons. Because they sit high above the waterline, they suffer less damage in harsh weather.
Disadvantages: Because of their high resting location, freeboard bumpers are more likely to get blown out of position by wind – allowing the boat to make unwanted contact with the dock, and ropes to become loose. Freeboard bumpers made from inflatable or EVA foam material are generally not as durable, and may not complement the appearance of all boats.
Round Boat Fenders
Round boat fenders are inflatable, very buoyant bumpers made of rubber or PVC foam. Their round design ensures maximum compression space no matter which direction they’re hit by another object.
Advantages: They are waterproof, plus their round shape makes them very durable under duress. Even after prolonged exposure to sunlight and other harsh environmental conditions, they are not prone to cracking or becoming brittle.
Disadvantages: These are typically larger is size and may be difficult to store when not in use.
Contour Fender
The contour fender is one of the most rigid and durable types of inflatable fenders available. Designed with flex points, these form a horseshoe shape that protects both the gunwale and the hull. The top section fits around your boat's rail, while the bottom section extends below the waterline for extra stability.
Advantages: Contour fenders are waterproof, and provide the highest protection against impacts thanks to their wraparound configuration.
Disadvantages: Contour fenders are more expensive than most other types of fenders, and require special mounting hardware that must be attached to a boat's rails or cleats.
Pontoon Fenders
As their name indicates, pontoon fenders are designed specifically to protect pontoon boats against collisions with docks, and even other boats. Their design and large contact area makes this style of fender one of the most effective and durable ones on the market today. They can be made of either single or two pieces which sandwich around the pontoons.
Advantages: Pontoon fenders are waterproof. Their larger area of contact and tight fit around pontoon boats provides excellent protection against impacts.
Disadvantages: They're not cheap; they require special mounting hardware that must be attached on top of your boat's rails or cleats.
Boat Fender Covers
Fender covers are designed to protect a boat’s topsides and hull against scuffs from the fenders themselves – reducing the odds of needing an expensive gel coat repair on the hull. Considering the nominal cost of the covers, they’re a smart money purchase when it comes to eliminating scratches, gouges, cracks and other blemishes that can harm a boat’s resale value or even render it unsafe for further use. Most are made of acrylic, polyester, or vinyl, and typically provide extra cushioning to further protect your boat from shocks.
Advantages: For their low cost, they provide a relatively high level of protection. Installation is easy.
Disadvantages: Not waterproof.
Fender Racks and Holders
Fender racks and holders are designed to provide a place where you can store your fenders and ensure that they stay in one place. Some models come with tool holders that help keep tools and other accessories organized.
Advantages: They're low cost, easy to install, and can play a big part in keeping your boat’s deck and storage areas well-organized.
Disadvantages: They must be mounted on your boat.
Boat Bumpers (a.k.a. Dock Bumpers)
Good boat protection doesn’t stop once you’ve got good fender coverage around your hull and gunwale areas. It goes further, with cushioning for any dock edges or poles that your boat regularly comes in contact with. More specifically, we’re talking about doubling your boat protection with proper dock bumpers and dock edging pieces that also prevent chips, cracks, and breakage of the dock’s wood construction.
In our Dock Bumpers & Edging section, you’ll find best-selling, proven products from popular manufacturers such as Attwood, Seachoice, Dock Edge, Taylor Made, and more. With selection boxes along the left side of the screen, it’s easy to make your product search as broad or focused as you like.
Dock Bumpers
Shorter in length, dock bumpers provide buffer areas between your boat and the dock – serving as protective barriers that prevent the kind of unwanted contact that leads to costly wear and repair. They’re also very effective mounted on pilings or steel beams at the ends of a slip.
Dock Edging
Dock edging strips create a soft railing around your dock that prevents damage to dock boards, which can eventually rot if untreated wood is exposed after being chipped, broken, or cracked because of boat contact. Edging strips aren’t just great for protecting wood – they’re also ideal for metal docks and floating piers made of plastic or aluminum.
Advantages: Excellent protection for your boat and dock. Keeps docks looking great and prevents costly repairs to wooden dock boards.
Disadvantages: May cause damage to gel coats on boat hulls, or cause minor scratches.
Post Bumpers
Post bumpers are designed to cling onto and wrap around vertical dock posts, pilings and other steel structures positioned perpendicular to your boat's slip. They feature a high-density exterior with a soft vinyl sleeve that absorbs impact shocks, preventing damage to your vessel as well as to the dock structure.
Advantages: Keeps dock posts undamaged and looking great while preventing costly repairs to boats.
Disadvantages: May cause scuffs to boats after repeated contact.
Dock Wheels
Permanently bolted to a dock, dock wheels are designed to spin freely on contact, protecting your vessel and dock while minimizing friction as a boat moves alongside the dock or in and out of a slip. If your boat is docked to a floating platform, dock wheels are just what you need to eliminate the damaging friction that comes from constant back-and-forth pitching and swaying. For extra cushion and protection, we recommend any of our dock wheel covers as well.
Advantages: Makes maneuvering alongside dock edges easier in tight spaces. Ideal for homes that don't have a boat lift.
Disadvantages: Dock wheels are a higher in cost up front, even though they are see as investments by many.
Whichever style of boat fenders and boat bumpers you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to find the right products featured on the digital shelves of our online store. Visit us at Boat iD.com, or contact our knowledgeable specialists on call seven days a week.