Boat Fenders and Bumpers to Protect your Boat

Jonathan Timianko

Apr 9, 2022 — 4 min read

Keeping a boat safe from scratches, dents and dings is at the top of every boater’s list. That’s where boat fenders and bumpers come into play.

What’s the difference in boat bumpers and fenders, you ask? Well, they serve the same purpose (protecting your boat from scratches and hard hits to the dock), but they’re used in different places. Boat fenders are attached to the actual boat. Bumpers are attached to a fixed structure (like the dock). They’re both cushioned and serve as buffers to protect the gelcoat, gunwales, hull and rub rails of the boat.

Unless your boat never touches another surface (really, is that even a thing?), you wouldn’t need either one. However, we all know that’s not a realistic scenario. Everything from docking and dining to fueling up, launching and retrieving and tie-ups with other boats puts your boat in contact with either a dock, pilings or other boats.

Any boat that comes near a private boat dock rental, a pier or another boat needs the protection of fenders (dock bumpers are helpful as well, but you can’t guarantee that a pier is going to have them). The basic types of boat fenders are ball, cylinder and sentry as well as specialized transom fenders. Most are made of inflated PVC or soft foam.

Types of Boat Fenders

Ball Fenders

Photo: Wikimedia

Ball fenders are, well, shaped like a ball. They’re good for big boats and places where there’s lots of wake action. That big round shape keeps the boat far away from the dock. It also keeps the fender from getting caught under the dock. One disadvantage is that they are harder to store when not in use. Obviously, they can be deflated, but who wants to re-inflate every time they come up to a pier or boat dock for rent?

Cylinder Fenders

Photo: Taylor Made Products (via Facebook)

Cylinder fenders are the most popular type of boat fender. They’re shaped like a cylinder and good for small boats. They can be stored under seats and benches or in closets and are easy to use. There are line holes at either end, and they can hang horizontally or vertically, which makes them a flexible option for a variety of boat shapes and sizes as well as jet skis. On the downside, if they’re too small, they won’t provide enough protection. Be sure to size accordingly.

Sentry Fenders

Photo: Mission Boat Gear (via Facebook)

Sentry fenders are made from closed-cell foam (rather than being inflatable like PVC ball or cylinder fenders). They’re contoured and hang at an angle and lower than traditional fenders, which gives more protection above and below the rub rail. The flat shape makes them easy to store on the boat. This type of fender works best on low profile sports boats and other small boats. One thing they’re not suited for is use in rough conditions. So, you wouldn’t want to use this type at a private boat slip rental in a high wake zone.

Transom Fenders

Photo: Taylor Made Products (via Facebook)

Transom fenders are used on the back of the swim platform to protect it. If you store your boat back side in at a private boat slip for rent (as many do), you’ll appreciate this type of boat fender. It prevents the swim platform from taking a beating against the dock.

Types of Dock Bumpers

We boaters always appreciate marinas and private boat slip rentals that have dock bumpers. Dock bumpers include dock edging, piling bumpers and dock wheels. Molded rubber dock bumpers are perfect for low-traffic areas while thick laminated dock bumpers are better for heavy-duty boat protection.

Dock Edging

Photo: Taylor Made Products (via Facebook)

Dock edging is a popular type of bumper. It’s used around the edges of the dock. Simply screw onto the surface of the wood to protect against rubbing from wakes and gentle bumps. It doesn’t work as well against hard hits but serves its purpose. Inflatable or foam-filled dock bumpers are often used in conjunction with dock edging. They have a 90-degree corner and a straight section, making them good for impact hits and rubbing.

Piling Bumpers

Photo: Taylor Made Products (via Facebook)

Piling bumpers are those cushion-like things wrapped around the pilings. They’re strapped onto the pilings as a helpful buffer. You’ll sometimes see tires used in this manner.

Dock Wheels

Photo: Taylor Made Products (via Facebook)

Dock wheels are something that’s not seen often enough at marinas or private boat dock rentals (in my humble opinion). Placed at the corner of the dock, they look like giant wheels. They work by keeping the boat away from the dock and helping to guide it into the slip. Dock wheels are available in either corner or side mount. One can be put on the corner as well as on each side of the dock if you so choose.

When choosing boat fenders and dock bumpers, take a few things into consideration:

Size of the boat
Configuration of the dock/slip
Typical weather and water conditions in the area.

Hopefully this has helped you with any questions you might have to keep your sailboat, cuddy cabin, trawler or other vessel protected at a ramp, pier or private boat slip for rent.