www.iFourWinns.com

The fenders I have suck. Point blank. I was going to replace them when we upgrade from our 225 to a 268, but I'm going to bite the bullet and do it now.

Right now, I've got some cheap ones from Meijer that we had on our 18' Sea Ray, but they aren't cutting it on this boat. I was rafted up with quite a few boats over the holiday weekend, and there was no point in using my fenders, they were that much smaller than the boats next to me.

I'm thinking the Taylor Made Super Gard 8.5" x 26", just to be on the safe side. WM has a three pack on sale for $99 right now. I'm also looking at the Taylor Made Tidy-Ups w/ the 6' Fender Loc Lines. That way there would be no doubt the admiral could deploy the fenders at the right height. Would 3 be enough for a 268? Any more than that, and I think I will have storage issue on my current boat, not sure about on a 268 though.

Are fender covers worthwhile?

I'd like to keep the cost down, the admiral will kill me if I spend that much more on the boat this season....and it might kill the upgrade for this year.

So...what fenders do you use, and why?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Polyform NF-8. I have 4 in the boat, but have never used more than 3 and rarely more than 2. I went "all the way" on these after our first slip experience with inadequate fenders. I'm not qualified to comment on how many are needed for the cruiser, but would bet money these would be a good choice.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I went with Polyform as well. (G-6) They are 2/3 the cost of Taylor and work just as well.

I have never used fender covers in the past so I can't say if is going to do anything for you.

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Dave
"Wasting Time"
2005 Four Winns 348 Vista
Noank CT
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I just bought the three forr $99 at WM and am going to use them as permanent fenders on my dock. Seemed like a good deal given that the Taylor's are $53 each.

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

We use 3 with our 248, I would think that is a good number for a 268 as well.

We dont use covers, I believe that ours are taylor made, 6 X 22 ????

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

IMO Poly's are at least of equal quality, if not better, than the equivalent Taylor's. Just based on my own observations. My choice of Poly was not a budget decision.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Check out ebay - can get some great deals -

Polyform with the nice covers... Not much will hold up as well - and looks fantastic.

I used the G4's on the H240 and never had any issues at all. I use G5's on the 318 and they work fantastic for my boating.

For my slip though, I permanently attached bumpers to my dock on both sides so I never have to deal with bumpers. I used Dockmate fenders from Overton's for that (they are semi-circle and I got matching corner bumpers).


I know lots of people who love Taylor - and I think they are very proud of themselves based on their price. The 3 for $99 deal at WM is pretty nice.... Look for online coupons as well. You'll want 4-6 in the end if you find yourself tying up to people or things (3 per side just to be safe)

But then - also consider how you will store them. They aren't little by any means.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

When I started to read your post before you mentioned the Taylor Made's I was going to mention them. West Marine has the same package deal going on with them. I would say get the Taylor's. I have 4 of the next size smaller of them and they work very well for my size boat. If I could fit them I would get the bigger ones. Just make sure you get the white ones (I think that's all they have in the 3 for $99 deal) and never let anyone tie up to you with colored fenders or offer to use your white ones.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

White is all they have in the deal, I'll probably get two sets of them. Not sure if I will be able to store all 6 on board, I might have to get creative.

Why shouldn't I let anyone tie up with colored fenders? Will the color rub off?

Thoughts on fender covers?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Exactly, or so I've been warned. Since this is my first boat I don't have any experience with that happening but I had 2 different friends passionately warn me about this as they have had it happen to them and I've taken their advice. I'd say get the 6 because it's really a great price on quality fenders. Never was quite sure what the point of the fender covers is, but I'm sure others will chime in. Maybe the cover would eliminate the color rubbing off issue.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

Thanks. I'm going to go ahead and get two of the package deals, and I'm leaning towards black fender lines and covers. This boat is white/green, the next will most likely be white/blue if I can make this deal happen.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

If you plan on taking whatever fenders you get with you... Just get white fenders... hold off on the covers (for now)... and just pick up some white fender whips.

That is - unless you don't mind the black stuff on a white/blue boat.

what's the scoop on the "if I can make this deal happen"?

Got your eye on something good?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I've got a smokin' deal on a '04 268 Vista...fully loaded. 100hrs, gen, ac, windlass, magma grill, everything we could want and a trailer. I've talked them down a bit, even had a signed agreement, but the buyer for my boat backed out. We were taking a 3k hit on our boat, but savings a TON on the new.

My Durango can't tow a 268 though, and I can't get a new truck when I get the new boat. We think we know where we would slip, but ideally we would trailer....

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

For the right deal, I'd consider grabbing it before the market comes back.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic