Click for JetForums Click for Furuno Click for Glendinning Click for Walker Click for Burger

Inflatable yacht fenders?

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

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. ddw1668, Oct 13, 2013
    #1
    ddw1668

    ddw1668 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2007
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Murrells Inlet, SC
    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:

    Attached Files:

  2. AMG, Oct 13, 2013
    #2
    AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2004
    Messages:
    5,380
    Location:
    Sweden
    We deliver our larger boats with these kind of fenders...

    Attached Files:

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

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,534
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    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

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2009
    Messages:
    1,994
    Location:
    Dana Point, Ca
    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

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    20,611
    Location:
    South Florida
    Whoa! I would have never thought about that. :eek:
  6. Capt J, Oct 13, 2013
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,534
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    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

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2008
    Messages:
    138
    Location:
    Sag Harbor, NY
    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

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
    Messages:
    7,427
    Location:
    My Office
    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

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2007
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Murrells Inlet, SC
    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

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2004
    Messages:
    5,380
    Location:
    Sweden
    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

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,534
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    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

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2004
    Messages:
    5,380
    Location:
    Sweden
    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.