[b]Does anyone know any good traditional fender makers in the Northwestern area?
Replies appreciated
Max [/b]
Hi Maxinea and welcome,
Northwestern area of where?
Derek
Hi Maxinea,
If you are in NW USA, try Dennis Armstrong in Seattle; if in NW England, try Colin Jones. I am in the SW USA and probably too far away, but I make them also.
Lindsey
Dennis Armstrong operates under his shop name “The Knotted Line” and has advertisments in Wooden Boat Magazine. Colin Jones has a very nice book, "The DIY Book of Fenders, available through the IGKT guild supplies. I am in the PNW USA, I do make fenders, but my plate is too full at present, however would like to email back and forth on this topic if you wish. Good luck. I am sure you will find what you need.
North western area of the UK, Does anyone have any contact details for any food traditional fender makers in this area of the UK?
The one Willeke gave you above - D W Fenders (David Walker) Saltney in Chester - is your best bet
Gordon
Great fun, eh what? With shipping cost getting to be a small part of the total cost then good craft work may be the same at USA, PNW or England NW, so the cost looks the same? It seems that I can send stuff worldwide for what I call “chump change” but it seems that the shipping from other nations is a burden. Some checking about may save us a happy dollar.
I am a traditional fender maker, can I help. I live near Chester, North west England. I have been making canal boat fenders for about 15 years.
Hi Maxinea,
Try this site http://indefatigable.pbwiki.com/Ropework . The contact is a guy called Richard (a marine engineer), he lives the life and works off his narrow boat (which I think he built).
I have some of his ropework and fenders and they are excellent quality.
Hi
Does the fender maker have to be in the NW specifically? If not try Pete @ Tradline rope and fenders based at Braunston Northamptonshire. Most will agree that tradlines fenders are reputably the best on the waterways. Have a look at his web www.tradline.co.uk or call his workshop on 01788891761. ;D
John
Are these fender practical? Do they chaff quickly or are they long lasting and worth the time and $. I am on the connecticut river in the us.
HI Jason
Traditional fenders are normally reserved for those who have traditional vessels where the level of care is higher than a normal boater who leaves their vessel unattended for a while. Care is needed because the manila line or hemp from which many fenders are made does wear out from the effects of chafe and the effects of water. When the fenders are made in cotton of course the situation is far worse with regard to chafe and rot. If the covering is of polyester line, it will last far longer than the manila, hemp or cotton, but then, looks are not improved as much as with perhaps a traditional organic line. I guess the question is more of “how much chafe do you want it to take and how much is cost a factor?” Traditional fenders are, after all, meant for traditional vessels using traditional materials which were expected to chafe but look good during the process. ;D
I only leave my boat for 5 days at the most, i was considering these for when i visit a new marina to show off a little, I was hoping to try and make a set myself but hear it is still expensive. i was considering buying the book for sale by the igkt . does anybody have it or read it and can give me some advice, the book is “how to make rope fenders”
How expencive it gets depends on how much you have to pay for the rope.
If you have access to used rope that still has some live in it it only costs time, if you have to pay new rope it will get dear very fast.
The book the IGKT has for sale tells you about all you need to know, but if you have questions left we are glad to answer them.
Willeke
Hi Jason
You don’t state in your posting what type of fenders you are looking for bow, stern or side fenders??? I suppose how robust the fender is will depend on the rope that they are made from as well as how well they are constructed and materials used. You will have to take into consideration the waterway in which you cruse is it fresh water or salt water. A good all round material is coir good in both fresh and salt-water environments and the abrasion qualities of coir are excellent and relatively inexpensive to buy. There a quite a few sellers of coir fenders around in the UK at the moment have a look on ebay and go to ebay shops and type in carnwath rope and fender company they have a good range of nice coir and other fenders for sale. Hope this is of some help.
J
;D
Doesn’t a lot depend on the type of boat the fenders are to be used on? If it’s a painted or varnished boat, wood or fibreglass, a fender made of natural fibres tends to pick up debris from the quayside and will act as an abrasive. Therefore, those ugly plastic inflatable fenders do have their uses, unfortunately. You don’t say what type of boat you have, Jason.
Lesley
Very good point Lesley!!!
I have seen the "ugly plastic inflatable fenders " covered with half hitches to produce a very convinsing and quite an atractive fender in the past. This may be a good starting point for someone who wants to start making fenders as the core is often the most difficult part to get right.
j
Thanks!! I think i will order the book and give it a try.
Well done Jason - I am sure you will enjoy making them.
Two tips that I picked up and would like to pass on:
- Make a model employing exactly the same techniques, but in small line, before you tackle the real thing.
- Do ensure that it has some give and is able to squash a little - a hard solid rope fender (like some people make) will put a nice dent in you boat rather than take the blow.
Gordon