How to Tie Fenders on a Boat

Co-authored by Travis Lund

Last Updated: November 18, 2024 References

Fenders help protect the edges of a boat from bumping up against things like docks, seawalls, and other boats. Stand on your boat to correctly position the fender, adjusting its height so that it correlates with the dock or whatever else you're protecting your boat from. You can use a clove hitch knot to secure the fender to a cleat or stanchion.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Spacing the Fenders

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A boat should have at least 3 fenders tied to it to protect it efficiently, more always being a good option. You can follow the guidelines of having 1 fender per 10 feet (300 cm) of waterline while also always having a minimum of 3 fenders.^{[1]
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Place 1 fender at the widest part of the boat. The widest part of your boat is the part that will bump into something first along the sides, so you definitely want to place a fender at this section.^{[2]
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- You can place other fenders forward and aft.
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Sometimes your boat will bump into pilings even if they have fenders attached if the spaces between the pilings are large. To prevent this, you can use fender boards which connect to 2 fenders, forming a barrier against the pilings.

Part 2

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Positioning Your Fenders

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When you're choosing the position of your fenders, think about what your boat is going to come into contact with.^{[3]
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Travis Lund
Sailing Instructor & Executive Director, Treasure Island Sailing Center

Expert Interview. 24 April 2020.} If your boat will be stationed next to another boat, by a dock, or by a seawall, you’ll want to tie the fenders on going vertically. If your boat will be next to pilings or posts, choose to tie them horizontally.^{[4]
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Choose something solid and low to tie your fenders to. You want to tie the fenders as low on the boat as possible, choosing something sturdy such as a cleat, a lifeline stanchion, or a padeye.^{[5]
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Travis Lund
Sailing Instructor & Executive Director, Treasure Island Sailing Center

Expert Interview. 24 April 2020.} Tying them low will help keep them steady and prevent them from swinging around too much.^{[6]
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- Avoid tying fenders to the top of a lifeline or rail.
Position yourself next to what you'll be protecting your boat from bumping against to decide where to position the fenders. Stand on your boat when adjusting the fenders, next to the dock, boat, or other structure.^{[7]
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When you’re holding the fender over the boat, position it so that it becomes a buffer between the boat and the dock or other structure. You should raise or lower the fenders depending on the height of what you’re protecting your boat from.^{[8]
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Part 3

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Tying a Clove Hitch or Similar Knot

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Lay the line over the bar to begin a clove hitch knot. With the fender hanging off the side of the boat, lay the working end of the line over the rail or bar.^{[9]
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- The working end of the line is the end that you'll use to tie the knot — the end not attached to a fender.
Once the line is laying on the rail, wrap it underneath the rail.^{[10]
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Pull the working end of the line up and over the part of the line that's still laying on the rail. You should have formed an "X" with the line.^{[11]
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Complete the "X" by pulling the line under and half-way around the rail 1 more time.^{[12]
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Pull the running end through the loop you've created. Once the line is half-way around the rail, you'll have created a loop. Pull the working end of the line underneath this loop, pulling the line tightly.^{[13]
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- The weight of the fender will pull down on the knot, keeping it tight and in place.
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Use a half hitch knot as a simple alternative. To tie a half hitch knot, lay the line around the rail, bringing the end under the standing part of the line. Pull the end of the line up through the loop you just created. Pull it tightly to secure it.^{[14]
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- You can repeat this process to create several half hitches, making your line even more secure.
- Use half hitches if you're attaching the fenders to a lifeline.^{[15]
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  Travis Lund
  Sailing Instructor & Executive Director, Treasure Island Sailing Center
  
  Expert Interview. 24 April 2020.}

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How should I position the fenders on my boat?

Travis Lund
Sailing Instructor & Executive Director, Treasure Island Sailing Center
Travis Lund is the General Manager at the Vallejo Marina, a large marina located between the San Francisco Bay and the Delta in California. Sailing since he was six-years-old, Travis has over 15 years working in sailing operations and instruction and has pioneered a coaching platform that combined traditional coaching with multi-camera video support. He studied English at Michigan State University, where he was on the sailing team.

Travis Lund

Sailing Instructor & Executive Director, Treasure Island Sailing Center

Expert Answer

First, you need to know what the boat's going to come into contact with, such as a dock or another vessel. Also, place the fenders on the widest part of the boat, and attach them to something that is secure, like a lifeline stanchion, a cleat, or a padeye on the boat.

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What knot do you use to tie to the actual fender? All I can find are the knots to tie off with.

Aloha27

Community Answer

Use a bowline to tie the line to the fender. It is, after all, the most useful knot on a vessel.

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Tips

Use marine-grade line and make sure it’s not slippery or the knots won’t stay.

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Check the line from time to time to make sure it isn't frayed or sun-damaged.

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