What is the issue?
The best of ports are exposed to surges when the weather is bad outside. This has the unfortunate tendency of causing a vessel's fenders to ride up, and leaves its topsides unprotected. If you are preparing to endure something very rough whilst alongside, fenders may not even be man enough for the job.Why address this?
It only takes a few minutes against a rough harbour wall for the topsides to be badly marked. Any further prolonged grinding after that will cause extensive damage.Sail with the Instincts of a Local Pro
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How to address this?
If something very bad is coming your way, you can protect the topsides by draping a hefty apron over the sides and using old tyres instead of fenders or alongside fenders.
Using a tyre and apron to protect topsidesPhoto: Michael Harpur
Cutting down sections of an old mainsail will make an ideal apron, whilst old tyres will probably be picked up from a garage at no cost. Sink the tyres ¼ to ⅓ of their diameter below the surface so that the weight of water helps hold them down. Tyres are heavy, so fix them to the base of the stanchion posts or, if possible, to cleats along the deck. If you are preparing to weather a severe storm event you can connect a series of tyres together along the side, or indeed both sides.
With thanks to:
Michael Harpur, Yacht Obsession.
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