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Inflatable yacht fenders?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by ddw1668, Oct 13, 2013.

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  1. ddw1668, Oct 13, 2013
    #1
    ddw1668

    ddw1668 Senior Member

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    I just found two of these with the inflater under a midship bunk while preparing for a cruise. The company, Darby Marine, Inc., has apparently gone out of business. I have never seen one. Are they worth saving?:eek:

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  2. AMG, Oct 13, 2013
    #2
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    We deliver our larger boats with these kind of fenders...

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  3. Capt J, Oct 13, 2013
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yes, they work good when they work. I've seen a lot of valves blown out on the various makes over the last few years.
  4. PacBlue, Oct 13, 2013
    #4
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Make sure the valves are positioned on the bottom of the fenders, as I knew some one who almost lost an eye from having the fender compress and the valve shot up and hit him in the face :(
  5. YachtForums, Oct 13, 2013
    #5
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Whoa! I would have never thought about that. :eek:
  6. Capt J, Oct 13, 2013
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yes, that happened on the Erie Canal once about 5-7 years ago. The plug on a Polyform polyball shot out and went through the mate's eye and he died right there.
  7. sagharborskip, Oct 13, 2013
    #7
    sagharborskip

    sagharborskip Senior Member

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    Darby Marine now Prostock Marine in Dania...call and ask for Whitney.

    Their fenders are guaranteed and made right in Dania.
  8. K1W1, Oct 14, 2013
    #8
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    That was one of the first things I was told when I started to use these type fenders, I have not seen one come out myself but have heard of a few with far from happy results.
  9. ddw1668, Oct 14, 2013
    #9
    ddw1668

    ddw1668 Senior Member

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    This is one more reason why I like Yachtforums. Another elderly, tho still quite handsome, yachtsman saved from an attack by "The Killer Inflatable Fenders". :eek:
  10. AMG, Oct 14, 2013
    #10
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    This goes for all fenders with air pressure, you always have the valve down.
  11. Capt J, Oct 14, 2013
    #11
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    With Polyballs, both Taylor and Polyform, you cannot and that plastic plug sent as a projectile with enough force behind it could be deadly.
  12. AMG, Oct 15, 2013
    #12
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    I think those balls were floats that we started to use as fenders, but anyway, I think the reason a plug come loose is when the top of a fender is squeezed and deformed, not just the air pressure. This is less likely to happen on a ball?

    Luckily all my fenders that have burst, it wasn´t at the valve.