Recently looking at tender cradles and saw an ad for Soft Chock tender cradle up to 800 lbs. which would work for some a 13' rib's. Like the idea of no fasteners in the deck and not tripping over a metal cradle. They claim it will stay in place when tied down with ratchet straps. Anyone have experience with this type cradle or have an opinion? Info: http://www.bixlersmarine.com/SoftChocks/
Good point, over time you would have some mildew. Would be easy to move and clean occasionally with the tender raised or when using.
Less concerned about that than water penetration/damage to the fiberglass/coring? Dunno, let's hear from people who used them?
I ve made my own chocks with starboard without attaching them to the deck. Properly placed straps can hold the tender or PWC in place even if the cradle isn't screwed/bolted down.
I'm using them this year. They work well. Also gives you a chance to experiment with dinghy placement before you bolt anything on. You just have to secure the dinghy properly and compress the foam. We move them out of the way when we launch the dinghy. Really no different than anything else on the deck. One caveat - if the dinghy is on the bow and you are taking waves over the bow in extreme conditions the forces involved can force things loose.
Sounds good, securing with ratchet straps as the mfg describes would be standard procedure for most any setup. Moving them out of the way to free up deck space until storing the tender again is a real plus. Thanks for the feedback.
I can find the pic of the first sets I made which just sat on the deck. These I made for a jetski but in two separate pieces and I built in a nipple underneath to fit in the SS fitting that was already on deck. Lazzara had a set of SS tails which could be used either as a cradle or moved as stern railing The jet ski is tied to D pad on deck with SS ratchet straps The key is to have the straps at an angle and not vertical which doesn't prevent lateral movement
Looks good Pascal. We do have a wave runner and thinking about putting next to the tender, but not permanently. Like the idea of unattached removable cradles with nothing fixed above deck level. Thanks for the pics.
I prefer rails to hull formed mounts. Rails tend to be universal. Where as formed mounts that follow a hull shape are specific to that hull.
I ve done two sets with rails. I agree but in this case I wanted something smaller and easily removable while taking advantage of the built in in deck fittings I have pictures of the rail style I did. Somewhere...
s Thanks for mentioning that, I would chose the rail style if fastening a cradle to the deck. I will be looking at inflatables in Lauderdale next week and will quiz them about the soft chock's. Also will be talking to a very experienced boat owner that used "bean bags" for a large rib, sounds interesting. Thinking that a soft material would be less slippery when strapped down to a sand finish painted deck than a hard material without being pinned in place like Pascal's starboard design. Not trying to reinvent the wheel but more options than I realized, not having any experience with tenders other than lightweight soft bottoms.
Talked to the boat owner that uses bean bags for his inflatable and wave runner while surveying his boat for purchase. He uses Fat Boy original outdoor bean bags. They are big and you can stand them up right for a seat when not in use. He used one for the wave runner and two for a 17' 1500 lb. inflatable tender which were not on the boat at the time. Secured them with ratchet straps to a low ss rail on the flybridge deck that is thru bolted around the open perimeter. Said they stayed in place with no problems. They used the upper deck when the toys were in the water for lounging and etc. The inflatable salesman did not like the idea because of losing a sale for cradle and installation. Anyway, an interesting (kiss) alternate method of carrying toys which I will use whether or not we buy his boat. Just google Fatboy bean bag for info.
Call me vain, but what kind of nautical look do "bean" bags provide on that costly yacht of yours?? Dunno...just curious.
Have seen and heard of lots of deck damaged caused by fastening nautical stuff to them. Currently, there is nothing I have seen designed for this use other than Soft Chocks. Might be an opportunity to redesign these bean bags for this specific use? The Fatboy bean bag will work for a tender, waverunner, chair, and a float you could tie behind the boat while anchored. Probably have to deal with mold occasionally. The boat owner that told me learned this from an Australian man that claimed many over there use the these on tenders, and they do have sloppy seas. Just saying, sounds too simple not to consider.
Just an update on the tender soft chock subject. We bought the boat a few months ago including the "bean bags". We have used them on the waverunner and the 15' 1200 lb. fiberglass tender and they work well. As far as a nautical look, they are not that visible under the tender and look fine. A great option to the typical metal cradle.
