Fenders/Bumpers

NEW ITEM

Bow Whiskers

Bow Whiskers
I am now producing bow whiskers. I can make them custom to just about any size or shape. I am still in the process of putting together my pricelist. In the mean time, email me dimensions and I can quote you a price. Just to give you a rough idea, the bow whiskers above are approximately 49" across the main line. The first set of hitches across the main line are approximately 38" wide. The length from the main line to the tip of the bottom most whisker is approximately 43". The whiskers themselves are approximately 7-8" long. The entire piece weighs approximately 26 lbs. I will be selling this size for $380.00 plus the applicable taxes and shipping. 


Rope Pudding/Bow Fender

Pudding/Bow Fender
This was my second attempt at making a pudding but the first one that I have completed. My first attempt was a traditional half hitch design. I was not 100% satisfied with how it was going, so I put it aside for the time being to build this one. I do not recall ever seeing a overhand grafted pudding or fender before. I build this first pudding as a show piece. If I were to make one for actual use, the first thing I would change would be the rope loops. These are the weak link of this fender. I would make the loops with either chain, or synthetic rope and service over them with natural fibre cordage. All three of the loops are spliced together inside the center of the tapered nylon net core. The second thing that I would change is the tapering of the grafting. This is the seam seen running down the right hand side of the fender. There is a seam running down the left side as well but it is spiralling in the opposite direction and so it is only visible when looking at the other side of the fender. This was only my second time grafting and first time tapering grafting. I have not yet figured it out, but I believe it is possible to not only make the tapering less noticeable but make it run straight down each side instead of spiralling off in opposite direction. Regardless of how visible and straight I could make the taper, I would make sure that it ran down the side that would be least visible when the pudding was hung on a vessel. The idea of the Turk's-head knot in the middle is that it takes the bulk of the wear and tear. When it wears out you simply replace it instead of having to replace the entire fender. The eyes/loops of the fender are made with 1/2" Manila rope. The cover is made with 27 or 28 strands of 5/16" or 3/8" manila rope. The Turk's-head knot is made with one single length on rope. This pudding is about 4' x 8". I am thinking that the price will be about $350.  


  
Single Loop Vertical Hanging Rope Fender




Double Looped Horizontal Hanging Rope Fender

Rope Fenders
All of my fenders are made with a Manila rope covering over a core of retired, knotless nylon fish net. I used nylon netting to form the core for several reasons. First and foremost, I have access to a lot of the netting. This is one of my contributions to the reduce, reuse, and recycle movement. Some people suggest making a solid rope core. I would think that rope core fenders would get very heavy when they are wet and take a long time to dry out. With the nylon net core, all on the air pockets throughout the netting will allow the core not only to dry faster but allow the core to breathe. The netting also has great shock absorbing qualities. I can make custom fenders with other kinds of core but at this point in time, nylon cores are all that I stock. I can also make the covering out of other ropes such as cotton or nylon but at this point in time I only stock manila. All other materials would have to be custom ordered.


 

Rope Fenders

I have just recently started producing rope fenders. It may be some time before I get my whole pricing system in order. Just to ball park some figures, a 4'x8" pudding with be around $350. A 14-16" x 8" side fender will be about $150. I am planning on giving better rate if you purchase a pudding and 4 side fenders. If you are interested, give me some measurements and I will crunch some numbers for you.