Jennifer McM Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Looks like we've bought the wrong shaped fenders - they are flat - thinking the shape would (somehow) be better. This is the shape https://www.elyboatchandlers.com/narrowboat-fenders/flat-profile-side-fender Problem is they squeek like crazy; 'frightening the dog' especially at silly o/c in the night/morning. We've tried washing up liquid, and furniture polish, but that's not worked for long. We've learnt the lesson that we should have gone for the round ones! But we're now stuck with them. Is there a solution? Or perhaps there's another use for the two fenders ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulD Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Round ones squeek too. Rope ones are best. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 I'd suggest you also avoid the rather smarter looking long round ones which are air filled. A month after fitting 6 nice shiny new ones, 3 of mine are split. I'll be replacing them with the less aesthetically pleasing solid rubber ones again shortly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 We have that type of fender but they don't squeak :-) . Perhaps if you moor with springs the boat won't be able to move and the squeak will stop. Or maybe very tight ropes so that the fender is well and truly trapped. We put the fenders down before we do the last tighten to the mooring ropes and we often have to loosen a rope in the morning to get the fender out.# Perhaps you are being too kind to your fenders :-)] We prefer rope fenders (Iain makes them) but the plastic ones came with the boat. haggis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen-in-Wellies Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 I can sell you some special fender grease to quiet them down. It might seem expensive, but Jen-in-Wellies Fender Grease(tm) is the only one specially made for boat fenders. ? Jen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer McM Posted July 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 23 minutes ago, PaulD said: Round ones squeek too. Rope ones are best. Thanks Paul, sounds like a plan 24 minutes ago, Sea Dog said: I'd suggest you also avoid the rather smarter looking long round ones which are air filled. A month after fitting 6 nice shiny new ones, 3 of mine are split. I'll be replacing them with the less aesthetically pleasing solid rubber ones again shortly. That was the problem for us, we turned on the boiler for hot water forgetting the fender was covering the exhaust pipe - mind these 'new' ones could go the same way if we forget again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer McM Posted July 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 20 minutes ago, haggis said: We have that type of fender but they don't squeak ? . Perhaps if you moor with springs the boat won't be able to move and the squeak will stop. Or maybe very tight ropes so that the fender is well and truly trapped. We put the fenders down before we do the last tighten to the mooring ropes and we often have to loosen a rope in the morning to get the fender out.# Perhaps you are being too kind to your fenders :-)] We prefer rope fenders (Iain makes them) but the plastic ones came with the boat. haggis This could be our problem, we're on the Ouse at the moment, and prefer loose (ish) lines. Good point to hang the fenders before tying mooring ropes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwatch Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 We 'invested' in the solid rubber fenders about eight years ago. No problems. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Rose Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 7 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said: I can sell you some special fender grease to quiet them down. It might seem expensive, but Jen-in-Wellies Fender Grease(tm) is the only one specially made for boat fenders. ? Jen Can I have some? One of my fenders squeaked once so it would be handy to have some of this just in case it ever happens again. I'm not worried about the expense as I have more money than sense. Where shall I send the money? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boater Sam Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Stop using cats as fenders. I use the same flat fenders, a touch of cooking oil works wonders. If you tie up with spring lines they don't squeak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen-in-Wellies Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Best mooring fenders I've used are go cart tyres. Cheap/free, thick enough to cope with wrinkly canal banksides and boat movement. No squeaking. Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace42 Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Why not pull a pair of old socks over them. That will at least stop the squeak temporarily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 2 minutes ago, Horace42 said: Why not pull a pair of old socks over them. That will at least stop the squeak temporarily. Or stockings. Stockings and fufenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardang Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 40 minutes ago, rusty69 said: Or stockings. Stockings and fufenders. There are fender socks on the market, certainly for sausage shaped fenders. Very popular with the yachting fraternity. I don't know whether they make them for flat fenders, however. https://www.marinescene.co.uk/category/292/fender-socks Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Just now, howardang said: There are fender socks on the market, certainly for sausage shaped fenders. Very popular with the yachting fraternity. I don't know whether they make them for flat fenders, however. https://www.marinescene.co.uk/category/292/fender-socks Howard I had some on my yacht fenders. Took them off 10 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furnessvale Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 13 minutes ago, howardang said: There are fender socks on the market, certainly for sausage shaped fenders. Very popular with the yachting fraternity. I don't know whether they make them for flat fenders, however. https://www.marinescene.co.uk/category/292/fender-socks Howard Surely round socks become flat socks when placed on flat fenders. It seems to work that way on my feet anyway!? George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detling Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 The blow up ones you see draped all over yoghurt pots are nice and quite just lift them when moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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