Measuring for Fenders
Regarding sizing fenders for your boat… a lot of different models were made by different manufactures so to be on the safe side I suggest you go by the following notes to determine the size of fender(s) that would best fit your boat.
I make a 3.5″ and a 4.5″ diameter fender, choose the one that does the best job of protecting your boat from your dock. Please note! My 3.5″ fenders are closer to 4.0″ than they are to 3.5″ and my 4.5″ fenders are closer to 5.0″ than they are to 4.5″! Also ensure the diameter of the fender extends beyond the distance that the gunnel extends out beyond the hull and also the fender diameter should extend out beyond the splash rail and/or rub rail.
Length
The fender should not be in the water!! Keep the bottom of the fender aprox. 2″ above the water level, 3″ above if you wish rings fastened to the bottom of the fenders. The rings are required with the use of a fender pull-up system. You have a choice of white nylon, stainless steel or bronze rings. The top of the fender should be low enough to the allow the fender to hang down as straight as possible. If your boat requires curved fenders as seen on the Greavette Streamliners, please contact me directly for information on how to measure for “curved fenders”. I will work directly with you in this case.
Lanyard Length
To determine the “lanyard length”, whether or not it is a straight lanyard or a looped lanyard, is measured by fastening a piece of small rope to the cleat as you normally would…then pull the rope(s), over the gunnel to a point where you figure the top of the fender should start, (see above note on “Length”). Pitch the single strand, “for a single rope lanyard” or the two strands “for a looped lanyard”. Hold the lanyard rope out from the boat where you imagine the center of the top of the fender would be. Still holding the rope/ropes where you pinched them off, remove the rope from the cleat, straighten it out and give me the measurement from the point where you have the rope or ropes pinched, to the end of the rope/loop you removed from the cleat. This measurement will be your “lanyard length”.
Custom Curve
I also make other fenders to meet specific needs of a particular boat design. For example I can custom curve your fenders to your boat. This custom curving is an additional $15.00 per fender. The “Dispro’s” have a different demand as well, for their fenders. I make a cotton fender for the Dispro only. If you are interested in owning some of these beauties…please contact me directly.
I sincerely hope this information is a great help to you acquiring a set of “Classic Rope Fenders” for your boat!!!