Mooring represents one of the most delicate maneuvers, and fenders have the function of preventing the shocks to which the boat may be subjected from damaging the boat when docking and when stationary in place.
To protect the outer surfaces of boats from abrasion and to prevent the outside of boats from suffering any kind of damage during the maneuvers that are performed to moor, there are various types of fenders, inflatable protection objects, on the market: long, spherical, flat, cushion, etc. The materials used in their construction are also different and the brands that offer this equipment, among them, the Norwegian brand Polyform is one of the best known.
Regardless of the type of boat being used, fenders cannot be missed; they are part of the basic equipment of boats and it is important to know how to choose the most suitable models.
Before listing the various types of fenders available, it is good to know that there is no precise number of fenders that must be on the boat, as there are never too many, but since they take up space it is generally recommended to have at least two
As anticipated, there are various types of fenders on the market, and the choice often becomes difficult if space is tight, but you do not want to give up safe protection. It is also important to pay attention to measurements and buy fenders that have the same shape and length.
However, as a general rule, to choose the right fenders one should take into account the length and weight of the boat and the height of the hull, so when there is a large distance between the highest deck and the water surface one should have wider fenders on board than when a boat of similar size does not have the freeboard too high in relation to the water surface.
The Polyformcylindrical fender is one of the most common designs found in most boats and harbors. Practical and easy to use, the elongated fender can be used both horizontally and vertically thanks to eyelets on the ends and can be attached to the railing and handrail if the boat is small.
The cylindrical fenders Polyform are part of the F series and are white (or gray) with a black or Blue Navy head.
They are an excellent fender for maintaining distances between boats, between a boat and the dock, or between the boat and the dock, and are able to absorb shocks efficiently, even when there are bad weather conditions.
As specified earlier, the size should be chosen according to the type of boat: small boats can opt for F1 and F2 fenders, while for larger boats and dinghies the models are Polyfrom F3 and F4 fenders.
Spherical Polyformfenders are also commonly referred to as "pear" fenders, and because of this shape they are able to provide protection to a large surface area of the boat, plus they are often used in conjunction with standby fenders and maneuvering cushions.
Fenders Polyform pear-shaped are part of the A series, they are bulky and therefore suitable even for large boats or to create protection at the stern.
For smaller boats, you can opt for the fender models Polyform A0 or A1, while for dinghies and medium-sizedor large boats the fenders PolyformA2, A3 and A4 are ideal.
The fenders Polyformare an indispensable tool for both pleasure and fishing boats and are used all over the world due to the very high quality offered by the Norwegian company.
These are a type of fender that can be stowed with great ease and when not serving as a protective tool for the boat can be used as a cushion or as a table.
Cushion fenders are created from foam and are generally lined with nylon, but while they have the advantage that they can be used in a variety of situations and can be stored without cluttering, the material from which they are made is significantly less durable than the models presented above, and they are also very light, so they can be lost if the weather conditions are bad.
Pontoon and pole fenders are models that save space
In addition, there are also other types of fenders on the market with different shapes designed to protect certain areas: ladder fenders, bow fenders, ring (inflatable) fenders, step fenders, etc.
Lack of space is one of the problems common to most boats, and fenders often take up any available space, especially if they are stored in the wrong areas.
Since fenders that are too small cannot be used otherwise safety is completely lacking and it is like not having them at all, all that remains is to identify the most suitable places for storing them. The railing and the deck are the most appropriate places, just buy one or more holders available on the market designed for this use. In fact, various stainless steel holders can be found that are easily mounted and can be fixed in various places, otherwise the classic places remain: the lockers and the cabin, places where definitely more clutter is created.
Both cylindrical and pear-shaped fenders Polyformare shipped deflated for obvious reasons and must be inflated by the customer, an operation that can be done either at the distributor or in port, using an air compressor.
Generally both cylindrical and pear fenders should have a pressure of between 0.15 and 0.2 bar, but these parameters depend on both the size of the fender and the circumstances
In any case, care should be taken and the right pressure should be provided to the fender, since if it is insufficient, protection is not adequately provided, and if it is excessive, cushioning decreases and thus so does comfort.
Despite the fact that it is difficult to see a fender burst, in order to avoid creating damage it is advisable to hang them with the valves facing downwards, that way , if it should burst the valve ends up in the water.
Usually fenders are placed along the railing, at the cleat and along the handrail.
In any case, they should always be attached in the area where scratches or other damage can occur, and generally the fender is never missing from the railing. In addition, since each boat is made differently it is advisable to do several tests to find the best position that provides the most protection
It is also necessary to use multiple lines and not just one, preferably one line on each side, this way they cannot roll and thus prevent damage to the boat.
As for fastening, it is advisable to place the fenders by means of a spoke knot, the most well-known and widely used type of knot along with the loop knot
Why choose fenders Polyform
The company Polyform AS was founded in 1955 and was the first company in the world to produce inflatable, all-plastic buoys and fenders. Since 1970 and in the 1980s Polyform developed the first partially automated roto-molding machines, particularly for net buoys Polyform.
In 1990 Polyform AS bought another Norwegian company, Scanmarin AS, the first company in the world to produce and market purse seine floats, initially with the expansion of PVC plastics.
The company has continued its expansion, and in 2006 began producing fenders using the revolutionary Polymatiq patented molding technology. This new technology not only greatly increased the quality and finish of the product, but also allowed for an updated design.
To this day, the Polyform AS continues to invest in research and continuously produces new machinery and innovative materials, but always with an eye toward the environment.
In essence, Polyform fenders are the ideal solution to ensure the safety of your boat and to be assured that you have purchased quality equipment that will last for years.
Conclusions
Fenders are essential tools that are part of the basic equipment that cannot be missing on board boats, and among the most widely used are those produced by the Norwegian company Polyform, excellent quality fenders available in various sizes that can be used for any type of boat.
Taking into account your needs and the size of your boat, you can opt for cylindrical Polyform fenders, which are versatile and suitable for any type of boat
It is essential to have enough fenders on board to prevent the boat from being damaged by neighboring boats or other objects, so it is a good idea to perform several tests to check if the number of fenders placed is sufficient and if the place chosen to place them is the right one. This is critical, as fenders that are too small or placed sloppily do not do their job well, and as a result the boat may suffer scratches and other similar damage.
The pressure of the fenders is also important, it should be checked consistently and adjusted so that it is not too low or too high, again to prevent them from being inefficient, also fixing the fenders properly is a way to avoid both damage and loss of the fenders while the weather conditions are not great.
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