Beer bench cushion as a fender
We have given our boat a new coat of paint. To protect the fresh paint job from scratches, we were looking for a light, long and thin fender cushion to cover as long a strip of the upper side of the boat as possible. This is because small scratches can quickly occur when craning in or manoeuvring in the harbour, especially as we don't have a rubbing strake. We now use two beer bench cushions on each side. These are long and narrow. There are already straps on them, we have added one in the centre, which can be tied to the railing supports or cleats - done. That's more than enough to provide us with light protection when hauling. The cushions are also much cheaper than fender cushions. There are also versions with covers that are resistant to moisture. Felix Staudacher, Munich
No scratches thanks to protective cover
When we moor to a mooring buoy on windless days, the pole on the buoy can hit the hull. This causes unsightly scratches and disturbs our sleep. However, neither very long nor very short mooring lines help to eliminate the problem. However, a fender can help. We cut off the lower end so that the rubber sausage can be put over the upper part of the buoy as a protective cover. We cut a hole at the top through which the mooring line is pulled endlessly. Günter Löffler, Eckernförde
Quick and easy homemade shock absorbers
You don't always have mooring lines with shock absorbers to hand, or it jerks so much that they aren't enough. On rough nights with wind and waves in the harbour, we simply put small fenders between the mooring lines on board. These absorb the force when we pull in. The pressure on the lines is literally gently absorbed and the unpleasant jerking stops. The method works on both fixed and floating pontoons, of course, and the crew can sleep peacefully. Wolfgang Werner, Wuppertal
Large comfort package in the archipelago
Alongside the skerry - for many a symbol of sailing holidays in Sweden. The problem: the skerry rarely drops vertically under water. The draught therefore prevents the yacht from lying directly on the rocks. Fenders are suitable for increasing the side clearance (and therefore the distance between the rock and the keel). Two ball fenders are placed on a foundation of four long fenders lashed together. These should each be secured crosswise with two lines so that they do not slip. Manfred Schmidt, Stampe
Do you have any advice for other sailors?
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