What size fender do I need for my boat?
Questions regarding what fender size you need is a very common question.
Fenders, buoys or bumpers. We have many names for the things we love. An indispensable and necessary accessory for your boat. Today they are a little bit like an accessory for your boat. Fenders are available in a large number of colors and shapes, each having their own benefits. But what fender size do I need for my boat? In this article we provide you with answers, and maybe some additional tips and tricks along the way.
What is important to keep in mind when it comes to fender size?
It is important that your fender is large enough to protect the boat hull. But a large fender is more difficult to handle and they require more space. Some boats have fender baskets shaped to smoothly store away fenders in. If you have a fender basket already installed it was most likely done so by the boat manufacturer and the size of the fender basket should correlate to the fender size needed for your boat.
What determines fender size?
Fender size is determined by boat length, height and freeboard. The fender should protect the freeboard but not be submerged in water. A 40-foot boat with a high freeboard requires a larger sized fender compared to a similar-sized boat with a lower freeboard.
How many fenders do you need? For boats up to 10 meters you need at least 2 fenders per side. If your boat is longer than 10 meters it might be a good idea to have 3-4 fenders per side. In addition to these you should also have one round fender (buoy) per side. But this of course depends on the storage capabilities you have available. Fenders are large, relatively awkward and fairly heavy.
If you are looking for a large fender that is inflatable, click here.
We’ve created a table chart to point you in the right direction in finding the correct fender size for your boat. This table chart is approximate and some boats may have guidelines that are more unusual so you should always measure your boat before making a decision.
Here you can see our fender size table for the F-series based on boat size
| MODEL | LENGTH MM | DIAMETER MM | SUITABLE FOR BOAT |
| F1 | 610 | 152 | 20-25 feet |
| F02 | 660 | 191 | 25-30 feet |
| F3 | 762 | 208 | 25-30 feet |
| F4 | 1029 | 216 | 30-35 feet |
| F5 | 762 | 279 | 35-40 feet |
| F6 | 1067 | 279 | 35-50 feet |
| F7 | 1041 | 381 | 50-55 feet |
| F8 | 1473 | 381 | 56-65 feet |
| F11 | 1461 | 538 | 65-75 feet |
| F13 | 1943 | 737 | Over 75 feet |
To summarize which size fender you need for your boat:
- Use the list above as a starting point.
- If you have high freeboard you need a longer fender.
- Better to have extra fenders than not enough.