www.iFourWinns.com

I think fender covers are the cheapest protection out there... even if they do only last a couple of seasons - you'll save that money in hours spent buffing!

So it seems like the Vista's are ok with more of a medium sized fender...

I have my Polyform G4's - which are 6.5 inches in diameter -- however, I feel like those would be way too small. The G5's are 8.5 X 26 (total length, only about 20 inches of actual fender). I had thought those could even be too small, but it sounds like that may be the sweet spot.

I'm a fan of Polyform... they are local to Seattle and have always held up well for me.

I am putting some serious contemplation into some fender racks for the front. Although they may not look that hot, they sure are useful.

_________________

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

Trouble is the fender racks are too tall to fit inside the rails. At least some I picked up were too large to fit. I tried one that holds two fenders in vertical basket of two oblong loops. There wasn't enough height to install them. Nor was there enough clearance along the walkable gunwale area. Much to my dismay. So if you get one make sure it'll fit (or get it locally from a place with a return policy).

I agree the 6" ones are too narrow for use by themselves. The through-line Polyform ones do a nice job. The large end-loop Taylor Made ones have been good for rafting up with other boats. But the way you can thread a line THROUGH the Polyform one is helpful in some situations. Like slinging one along the stern quarter to fend off a finger pier.

There's no universal rule for fender configuration. Each docking situation will have different demands. But I can say that having two of the large ones is highly recommended. You need to be able to drop them down between the boat and what ever is next to it. Their large diameter will give you enough rebound to handle most situation. Their length will help you deal with changing tide levels AND the pitching of the boat due to wave action.

Beyond the two big ones your options spread out.

I supplement my two big Taylor 10.5" SuperGuard fenders with 3 of the 8.5" diameter ones. I also keep a suction cup gizmo to help protect the stern quarter as there's no convenient cleat nearby. I then have two more of the 10.5" ones affixed to our marina docks. One at the stern quarter and another along a protruding part of the dock framing near the swim platform. Leaving those on the dock means not having to fiddle with them from the boat every time we return.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Fender racks provide great utility and a lot of my friends swear by them - it is definitely one of those personal preference items. Before you commit, it would be good to see how they will obscure your sight lines when the boat is at its running attitude and be sure you can live with it. This is one reason they are ideal for bridge boats but less so for some express cruisers. I have found that some people aren't bothered by it at all and I know some who have removed the racks because the convenience wasn't matched by the practicality. Again, personal preference.

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Thanks for pointing that out. Had mine even fit they would have blocked FAR too much of my forward view. Around here you need to be able to keep a sharp eye out for crab pot floats. Fenders up there would make that all but impossible.

It really is a bit of a pain finding decent places to store stuff like this. I really miss how some of the older model boats had factory-standard storage places for them. In the name of "style" the boat vendors are seriously disrupting practical, and safe, use.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista