Boat Fenders 101 - Pick Perfect Boat Fenders for Your Boat
Picking the perfect boat fenders for your boat is no simple task. To make things easier, we’ve drawn on years of industry experience and consulted with boat fender manufacturers in choosing our selection of brands. What were we looking for? Above all else, boat fenders that offer premier value by combining affordable prices and outstanding durability. After a thorough analysis, here’s what we found.
Boat Fenders Guide |
| Boat Size |
Boater Sports |
Polyform |
Hull Hugr |
Taylor Made |
How Many? |
| Up to 10 ft. |
Small |
G1 |
Contour |
Hull Gard 3.5" x 13"
|
2-3 |
| 10 ft. - 20 ft. |
Small or Medium |
G2, G3 |
Contour |
5.5" X 20" |
2-3 |
| 20 ft. - 30 ft. |
Large or X-Large |
G4, G5, HTM1, HTM2, A1, F1, F02, F2, F3 |
|
6.5" X 22" or 8.5" X 27" Big B 6" X 15" or 8" X 20" |
3-4 |
| 30 ft. - 40 ft. |
|
G6, HTM3, A2, F4, F5, F6 |
XL Contour |
Big B 10" X 26" or Hull Gard
10.5" X 30" |
|
| 40 ft. - 50 ft. |
|
HTM4, A3, F6 |
|
Big B 12" X 34" |
|
| 50 ft. - 60 ft. |
|
A4, F7, F8 |
|
|
|
| 60 ft. - 70 ft. |
|
F8, F10, F11 |
|
|
|
| 70 ft. - Up |
|
F11, F13 |
|
|
|
To create our Boat Fender Guide, we drew on the experience of our staff and the expertise of our manufacturers. These suggestions represent general guidelines, but as boats, and also mooring conditions, vary widely you as the boat operator are ultimately responsible for the selection of your equipment and must exercise your own judgment. If you have questions or need assistance, please call SavvyBoater Customer Support at 866-560-1330
Boat Fender Brands:
Boater Sports Boat Fenders
made our cut because they are a very affordable fender that will meet the needs of most boaters. Boater Sports is a new player in the boat fender field that excels at producing solid products that offer great value for budget conscious boat owners. Boater Sports boat fenders are similar in style to the Polyform G Series fenders.
Polyform Boat Fenders
are the gold standard of boat fenders and buoys, known around the world, they’re the favorite of sportsmen and commercial fishermen alike. Whether it’s the handy G Series boat fenders, the more robust HTM (Hole Through the Middle) Series boat fenders, or the signature A Series Buoy and Boat Fender, if there is serious boating going on, Polyform will be there. Polyform offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on the boat fenders and buoys we offer.
Taylor Made Boat Fenders
are Polyform’s main contender for “leader of the pack” in quality boat fenders. The Taylor Made Super Guard boat Fenders are very similar to the Polyform G series fenders, but offer a slightly different look and color palette.
Hull Hugr Boat Fenders
by Kwik Tek are unique in that they are designed to provide special protection to boats with step down gunwales. This feature, coupled with easy storage, makes them popular with bass boaters and water sports enthusiasts. If you are interested in a flat fender that doesn’t require inflation, this brand delivers.
Boat Fender Styles:
Cylindrical Fenders are, just like they sound, cylindrical in shape with an eye at one or both ends to secure them in place. These are what many people picture when they think of boat fenders. They range in size from the diminutive Polyform G1 fender at 3.5” in diameter by 13” in length, to the Polyform G6 fender at 10.5” in diameter by 30” in length. These are typically used for trailered boats and vessels under 30 feet in length. The
Taylor Made Hull Gard and Super Gard boat fenders are also in this category.
Hole Through The Middle (HTM) are like large inflated beads, cylindrical in shape, they have a hole through the middle allowing them to be hung horizontally on a rope where they will provide optimal protection. They are typically heavier in design than the cylindrical inflatable fenders and are intended for somewhat larger boats from 20-40 feet in length.
Flat or Contour Fenders are kind of like gym mats. They are a padded material in a protective coating that is hung on the side of the hull to protect it from damage. Kwik Tek has gone a step further by developing Hull Hugr brand Contour Fenders.These flat boat fenders are designed for boats with stepped gunwales and are hinged so that they will protect the hull, while also folding over and protecting the vulnerable gunwale.The standard Hull Hugr Contour Fender is recommended for boats up to 25 feet, while the Hull Hugr XL Contour Fender is designed for boats 25 feet and larger.
"A" Series Fenders or Buoys are often used as mooring or marker buoys, but are also used as fenders for larger boats or in rafting situations where a good deal of protection is desired between boats. Drop shaped with a heavy reinforced rope hold, they provide a relatively large diameter and can withstand a good deal of pressure from heavy boats, or as a fender between two boats heaved together by a swell.
"F" Series Fenders are commercial grade mooring fenders, designed for use in the most rigorous applications. These fenders come in multiple sizes for boats ranging from 20 ft. on up. The F-Series boat fenders have a twin-eye design for vertical or horizontal use and multiple ribbed, reinforced rope holds. These mooring fenders can be used in permanent unprotected moorings, pilings, locks and concrete walls.
How Do I Know Which Boat Fenders are Right for Me?
While every boat and mooring condition is different, cylindrical fenders like the Polyform G Series fender, The Taylor Made Super Guard fender and the Boater Sports Boat Fender are by far the most common. For cylindrical fenders, select the size suggested for your boat.Remember, if your mooring in a windy or high swell/wake area, consider going up a size for greater protection.If your boat is towards the upper end of a size range, consider going with the larger fender suggested.
- If you are interested in a premium quality fender with a limited lifetime warranty and a broader range of colors, consider Polyform Fenders.
- If you would like a reliable product that meets most boaters’ needs at a budget conscious price, try the Boater Sports Boat Fenders.
- If your boat has stepped gunwales, consider the Hull Hugr Contour Fenders which are designed to meet the special needs of this hull design.
-
If you have a larger boat or
moor in more extreme conditions, the
Hole Through the Middle (HTM) boat fenders and the
A Series buoys by Polyform offer greater protection for your boat. They have a more rugged design that allows them to stand up to greater stress.The HTM Series boat fender can also be hung horizontally which can prove beneficial under certain circumstances.
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