The Real Cost of Not Using Enough Fender Protection
Docking your boat should be simple, but even experienced captains underestimate how much protection their hull really needs. Many assume a couple of cylindrical fenders placed along the side is “good enough”—until a gust of wind, a shifting tide, or a busy marina proves otherwise. Without proper fender coverage, boats face repeated contact points that lead to silent but expensive damage.
Below, we break down the hidden risks of using too few fenders—and how to avoid them.
1. Isolated Fenders Don’t Protect the Whole Hull
Traditional fenders cover small, individual spots. If the boat shifts even slightly—something that happens constantly in windy or high-traffic marinas—the boat can slip above or below the fender and hit the dock directly.
Common damage includes:
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Gelcoat scratches and scuffs
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Pressure dents
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Bent rub rails
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Repeated wear on specific hull areas
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Stress marks from angled contact
Why it happens: Boats rarely stay perfectly aligned with one small bumper. Even a few inches of movement can expose unprotected sections.
2. Crowded Marinas = More Impact Points
When docking between boats or in narrow slips, you’re dealing with multiple surfaces on both sides—not just one dock face. With limited space to maneuver, hull impacts are inevitable if protection is minimal.
You may also encounter:
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Bow flare hitting the dock corner
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Stern swinging into a piling
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Hull scraping while adjusting lines
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Wake from passing boats pushing you sideways
Even slow-speed bumps add up, especially over a season.
3. Wind and Current Expose Weak Fender Setups
Wind gusts, tidal surges, and strong currents are the biggest culprits behind fender failure. They reposition the boat unpredictably:
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Pushing the hull above the fender
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Pinning the boat into a piling
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Tilting the boat so one fender takes all the pressure
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Sliding the boat along the edge of the dock
The result? More force, more points of contact, and more damage when fenders aren’t long or wide enough.
4. What This Damage Really Costs
Hull repairs and gelcoat resurfacing are time-consuming and pricey. Even minor scratches require sanding, color-matching, and polishing.
Typical repair ranges:
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Minor scratches: $200–$600
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Gelcoat chips: $400–$1,200
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Rub rail replacement: $600–$1,500
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Dock rash along the entire side: $1,500–$5,000+
Not to mention the annoyance of downtime and lost boating days.
5. How Fenderboards Provide Better Protection
Using a Fenderboard dramatically reduces all of these risks. Instead of protecting one tiny spot, you get protection over a long, continuous surface.
Fenderboards offer:
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Coverage across the full hull height
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Stability during wind, current, and tide shifts
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A flat surface that prevents the boat from sliding under or over fenders
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Even distribution of pressure
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Reliable protection near pilings, corners, and hard dock edges
By replacing multiple fenders with a single long board and integrated fenders, you eliminate guesswork—and prevent costly repairs before they happen.
Your Boat Deserves Full-Length Protection
Using only one or two fenders may feel convenient, but it leaves your boat vulnerable to thousands of dollars in avoidable damage. Full-surface protection means safer docking, less stress, and more time enjoying the water.
Explore Fenderboards at www.Fenderboards.com and keep your boat protected from bow to stern—no matter where you dock.