Where do you put your fenders?

[Jlegaz]

Hi All,

New boat owner and purchased a 382 back in October. I’m looking for advice to when to hang my fenders. The pervious owner had one set up on the cleat hawse, two attached to the wooden rail on the deck fore and aft (I don’t like the fender being tied to those), and one on a stanchion mid-aft of the boat. Where’s the best place you have found to put them. Consensus online seems to be at the bottom of the stanchion is the best spot. People seem split on hanging them from the lifelines. Attached is a photo of the current set up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Sonata typically uses 2 each side hung on the 2 central most stancions (I think) on Fender cleats. I'll verify which stancions when I get back tonight. She is berthed in a slip with fingers each side.
Mitchell

 

[Warren Holybee]

One fender each side, from the stanchion closest to the widest part of the boat. That would be the forward gate stanchion. If your dock lines and spring lines are tied correctly, no other part of the boat can touch the dock. The challenge is during docking. Ideally, you would have a roaming person holding a fender.

 

[Mpdsailing]

Usually the lower or top of the life lines and a fender board for pilings.

 

[Warren Holybee]

Never tie to the lifelines. Being tied higher up creates leverage, and when the board slams against a dock can break a stanchion. It may sound overly cautions or a low risk, but I have seen it happen twice, one of those times was my doing on a friends boat. So, of course having it happen to me, I am very adamant about that. Stanchions are expensive to replace when they break or bend, so just don't do it. Tie the fender to the base of a stanchion, a chainplate, or a cleat. But never a lifeline.

 

[Jlegaz]

Usually the lower or top of the life lines and a fender board for pilings. View attachment 9703

Thanks for the input. She looks beautiful