inflatable fenders

[ian parkes]

http://www.stowawayboatfenders.com/home.html

i saw these today while waiting for my engine to be serviced in Plymouth .

they looked perfect for many uses not just fenders . all stored really neat in a bag with a small pump and high quality. ideal for a rib or sib .

main use for me would be boat rollers for moving a small boat or sib over a beach where wheels are no use and not enough crew to carry the boat. i used to have some inflatable boat rollers for my sib and they worked well exept the quality was crap and the valves leaked . these are more compact and much tougher .

[JSP]

Out of interest how do you control the boat as it's moving on the fenders/rollers? And how hard is it to do?

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by JSP

Out of interest how do you control the boat as it's moving on the fenders/rollers? And how hard is it to do?

you just push or pull it . It doesn't tend to move fast as the soft fenders do squash out a bit and give some resistance , as does the soft hull of a sib . 2 or more people make it easier but one can do the job slowly and more important without damaging the boat. as the bow or stern comes off the lsat roller you just drop it on the sand which stops it rolling away if the beach is steep . they are most use on pebbles or shingle where the boat would easily get damaged

[paul tilley]

look like crap to me

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by paul tilley

look like crap to me

Why

Similar shape but crap is usually brown and smelly

[paul tilley]

looking at the valves they are the cheapest and nastiest you can buy ,they only work if the cap is on ,whereas on a decent valve the cap is only a failsafe .hence i would expect the rest of the product to be as bad as the valves. hope that answers your question .

[JSP]

Paul is right there, I've seen the state poorly made fenders get in. But I would have put it nicer

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by paul tilley

looking at the valves they are the cheapest and nastiest you can buy ,they only work if the cap is on ,whereas on a decent valve the cap is only a failsafe .hence i would expect the rest of the product to be as bad as the valves. hope that answers your question .

I am no expert on valves but they are the same as you find on donuts and most other inflatables but a smaller diameter .
Isn't it called a boston valve ? I have never had a problem with one and if I did its very easy to replace . They are easy to use and make inflation and deflation very easy . The valves used on most ribs rely on the cap to make the seal 100%
What more do you need on something like this ? Rib type valves would be too big and fiddly . Surely simplicity and speed is what's required for these items .

[Dirk Diggler]

We looked into getting the rights for the UK for these from the Manufacturer who was exhibiting them at this years Miami Boat Show, but were beaten to it by Aquamarine!

[paul tilley]

i must admit ian i am no expert on valves or inflatables and bow to your superior knowledge

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

We looked into getting the rights for the UK for these from the Manufacturer who was exhibiting them at this years Miami Boat Show, but were beaten to it by Aquamarine!

I am not sure how well they will sell at £70 for the set inc pump and bag , but for a small boat they are good idea .