How to properly use and clean the boat fenders?
How to inflate boat fenders?
The inflatable boat fenders can be easily inflated through the inflation valve , usually placed on the top of the fender.
This valve has 2 positions : one for air intake and exhaust and the second one for air-blocking system. These 2 positions are available due to the central pin (high position and low position) or by screwing or unscrewing to different levels.
The inflation can be done with a manual or electric pump or a foot pump.
Actually, the inflation pressure needs to be quite low. The objective here is that the fender reaches its normal shape and not get over-inflated with too much pressure.
The appropriate pressure for inflatable boat fenders?
The inflatable bumpers only need a relatively low pressure, between 0,15 and 0,2 bars .
One can be sure the internal pressure is correct by squeezing with the fingers the fender: a low resistance must be present, not a hard response. A medium pressure is the optimum one; attention no to over-inflate the boat fender as it will limit their shock absorbtion.
Anyway, it is recommended to check regularly the pressure of your fenders beacuse too soft, they will not properly protect your boat.
Where to position the boat fenders?
The positionning of the boat fenders is stategic as it influences the degree of protection.
Generaly, the boat fenders are attached from stanchions, toe rails or guard lines with a capstan knot or two half-hitches and a dedicated cleat. Evidently, the boat fenders must be placed all the long of the boat's beam, especially in the areas where contact risk is obvious. We can often see the boat bumpers attached from the top of the guard lines. Altough, if a great effort is needed to handle them, it is advised to place the boat fenders at the bottom of the stanchions, toe rails or the mooring cleats. The height of their positionning is also important! Placed too high or too low, a boat fender will not work effectively and the haull will not be well protected. Make sure they are well positioned, on the most exposed point.
For a side by side mooring it is essential to install preventive boat fenders on the exposed side in order to receive the visiting boat.
How to tie up the inflatable fenders?
The best way to attach a boat fender is by using a cloved hitch doubled by a slipped half hitch. The slipped half hitch can easily loosen or untie the cloved hitch in oder to adjust the postion of the boat fender. The cloved hitch is ideal for fender. It gets tied up using tension but it gets loosen very easily. Once the postion of the boat fender is set, you can backup with the slipped half hitch. An alternative is to use especially designed cleats for boat fenders. They have been studied for a quick installation or removal of the boat fenders.
How to clean the inflatable fenders?
At the end of the season, the boat fenders cleaning feels like a hassle but it is needed! Traces of rust, painting or just dirt and algae must be cleaned away. Don't wait the end of the winter season to do it, it will be even more difficult! We strongly advise you to clean them before winter starts.
How to store the inflatable fenders?
Equiped with a valve in order to inflate it and deflate it easily, an inflatable boat fender, takes, while deflated, only 10% of its original size.
This allows you to keep on board the necessary number of boat fenders without worrying about not having enough place to store them.
In order to deflate the fender, you just have to open the valve, and manually force the air out.
it is recommended to store them flat, not folded, in a dry space and in their own cover if possible.
