www.iFourWinns.com

Okay, I just dropped a boat load (pun intended ) for my new boat. What is the best size bumper to put between the boat and the docks for docking for an hour or two?

It seems like you need at least a 6" diameter. And is there a good way to tie these off properly????

Sorry if these questions seem stupid....

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- Denis

2007 Horizon 210 SS
320 HP 5.7 Liter / Volvo Penta



2004 Chevrolet 2500 HD Extended Cab / 6.0 liter
2005 Harley FLSTNI - Aped
2008 Harley FLTRI

BIG.

I started with 6" fenders and found out how inadequate they were the first time we slipped the boat for a week. The first thing I did upon returning home was to order 4 new 8" fenders.

Of course it depends a lot on where you slip - the actual slip's condition, how rough the water is there, etc. But 8"-er's will pretty well cover you anywhere. I bought Polyform NF-5's and could not be happier.

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

Thanks!

I guess I will get shopping for 8" ones then!!

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- Denis

2007 Horizon 210 SS
320 HP 5.7 Liter / Volvo Penta



2004 Chevrolet 2500 HD Extended Cab / 6.0 liter
2005 Harley FLSTNI - Aped
2008 Harley FLTRI

Don't know if there is a stupid question. Probably more stupid to be shy and wish you had of asked later (because it cost you a bundle to repair or replace)
I am using 8.5" and I can easily fit 4 in the bow under seat storage in my 210 which is more tan enough for docking & raft-ups etc. Go smaller and you will cringe when the guy that ties up to you at a raft up or dock has an agressivly shaped hull wilt a low rubrail and the grinding starts with every ripple in the water. Thay are not cheap but whats your gel worth to you?
I hang one from my aft cleat and one from the midship cleat. One in between as well if necessary No scrapes through some pretty good wave and wake action.
Pretty rig by the way.

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2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

Polyform G4 fenders -- They are about 6.5 X 23''. Work great for my 240. Anything bigger than that and storage becomes an issue when you store 4 of them. I can store 4 comfortable in a front compartment -- I couldn't fit 8 inch rounds if I tried. I also keep a couple of Hull Hugger fenders on hand for the just-in-case situations.

Talk to Ryan at Winnisquam... You can pick out the color of Polyform G4's that you want - and he knows how to order custom fabric covers for them that don't scratch your gelcoat when you rub.

I have a classic black colorband with the driftwood stripe -- I did the tan G4 bumpers with black covers and black whips. I get TONS of comments on how great they look.

Unless you store your boat on a dock that gets some SERIOUS wave action, anything bigger than the G4's on boat your size is getting to be overkill.

But -- then agan -- bigger is always better for fenders. As long as you can store them...

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

8+ inch bumpers guys??? You guys are driving cruisers! holy cow!

As for the guy you tie up to... If you find an idiot like that, the bumpers would be the least of my concerns. I run as far away as possible from the crazies. I prefer to be the crazy one.

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

I store 4 of the 8.5's in my 240 easily - 2 under the stbd aft seat and 2 in the floor locker. It would be a bit of a hassle to get to the ones in the floor locker but we rarely need more than 2 fenders.

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

4 8" big b's for me. I tie one on mid cleat and one to the rear seat bench grab handle.

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At around $500 a gouge, to have someone fix it, it's worth finding ways to stow decently sized fenders.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks for all your input guys!

I will talk with Ryan as well. And yes, they are expensive, but it is worth saving the boat!!!!

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- Denis

2007 Horizon 210 SS
320 HP 5.7 Liter / Volvo Penta



2004 Chevrolet 2500 HD Extended Cab / 6.0 liter
2005 Harley FLSTNI - Aped
2008 Harley FLTRI

I bought 4 of the 8" fenders. Parafunalia, in Guilford NH is an excellent place to buy anything boating related. Great Prices, selection and Knowledgable. let me know if you need directions.

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2002 245 Sundowner
2002 Polaris XC600SP
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD

+1 to txjole2. I tie mine off my ski arch to keep the mid-cleat free for rope. I'd say as long as they are somewhere around those S's on your hull you'll be fine.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

I've be using an 8" super gaurds on an adj. clip(will give way before damaging rail) up front hanging from the grab rail and 4" S.G.s on the mid and stern cleats. So far so good, but I'm going to get a couple of 6" S.G.s for the mid cleats just to be safe plus it should make it real easy for others in the boat to know where to put the bumpers if in a hurry. Some slips I've been in are not wide enough to put 8" bumpers on both sides, so having some smaller ones is a must for good protection all the way around. Good luck!

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Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.

Mine came with 4 8" 's. 3 fit in the eng comp storage, with the 4th in the ski locker. I typically put one on each mid-ships cleat, and one on the aft end of the tower. I noticed my stern rides too low for use when docked or tied along side. My issue has been my boat width + fender size = too large for typical slip. I usually use just the two on the side I'm tying onto, then wedge the other two in if I'm overnight. The first time I tried going into a slip with all four out, I scuffed my rub-rail a bit not realizing I was too wide for it! Hey, size matters after all .

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I have 81/2" on the 261 no storage so I picked up some leather and made them look like cushins in the v birth.
Gregg