Boat Fender, DIY

Boat fenders are one of the many great arts in seamanship.  They are designed to protect the boat from hitting the dock, other moorings, and other boats.  In this modern, disposable culture, there are many fenders that are cheap and readily available, usually made from plastic.  Far from being a way to enhance your sea-going vessel, these cheap, plastic fenders are offensive to traditional seamanship.  

This instructable will show you how to make a nice fender, that if treated with a preservative, such as Stockholm tar, could conceivably last a lifetime, and look really nice in the process.

There are many complex ways to make a fender to protect your boat, but this one is simple and low-cost.  Based on the crown knot, all that is really needed is a few basic tools, some decent rope, and a little whipping twine, and pride.

This is my first instructable, so please let me know how to improve!  Thanks!

Step 1 What you will need

1.  Rope.  3/4" hemp or manilla rope should work fine.  Other ropes will work, but these are most authentic and hold up well to sunlight.

2.  Sharp knife to cut the rope.

3.  Whipping twine.  If this is not available, it's OK.  Some sort of strong twine will work fine, because it will be buried inside the fender anyway.

4.  Fid or marline spike.  If either of these is unavailable, then you can use a large tent stake, the rigid plastic kind will do perfectly.

Comments

[mharris17]

I made this fender out of 1/2 inch poly rope. I used three 15 foot pieces folded in half. I kept one piece one hands width above the others and tied them off and then followed your directions until I got to the end. Where you said to tuck it under previous coils, I did. I also did this all the way back to the bottom. It took out any excess slack I had. Poly rope is hard to keep taut. It looks great. Thanks.

[awhitecat]

Did you get an answer, zedzed? Like you, the description wasn't full enough for me!

Anybody like to elaborate?

Thanks.

[sjb321]

what kin of rope did you use for your fender

[bunglesmate]

The rope shown looks like a natural fibre called HEMP.

[Ferrite]

Nice knotwork! I like the turk's heads on the handle of the pliers and on the fid too.

[Heringhaus]

you lost me on this step can you expand your pictures here like form a loop then whats next do you put the next cord into the loop you just made???

[sjb321]

Just finished mine it looks really good. awsome instructable!!!

[naruto the ninja13]

how do you perserve it in stockholm tar? do you just dip it in there... and what is stockholm tar (pardon my ignorence)

[cwith6c4810]

Yes. It's some messy stuff, but yes. You might even let it soak for a little while, too. As long as you keep the fender out of direct light, rinse it out with fresh water from time to time, and use good, quality rope, it should still last for a long time. Let me know if you have any other questions :-D

[naruto the ninja13]

I've been thinking about building a small sail boat or catamaran using only tools and stuff that it would have when the art of shipmaking was first refined but do you know what would be the best way to go about doing this?

[mrownsalot]

Oak, big screws and no powertools.