Compass Marine Fender

A novel product has been developed to help protect boats from dents and scratches.
Tim Mear from the family run Compass Marine The Fender Company came up with the idea for the unique fender with his wife, Erica.
And he hopes it will prove best seller, saving yachtsmen hundreds of pounds.
He said: “It fits on the bow of a yacht, I invented and designed it. It’s a Compass Marine product, made of very high impact resistant foam which is UV resistant, low abrasion and easy to stow. And is comes in different sizes and lengths.
“ It’s a very novel, unique product.”
The stem fender will help protect the bow of a yacht not only when it’s on a marina, but also when it’s on a swinging mooring.
Tim said: “When you have wind against tide the boat can bash against the top of the buoy. The buoy often bangs around the front of the boat, the same can also happen with the anchor chain.
“ There is a company which makes a big PVC fender which comes around the stem of a boat, but it’s a big lump to stow away when boats are at sea and they’re not being used.
“ It’s easy to fit – the ropes will go around the stanchions or cleats and once they are the right length and have been fitted for the first time, clips can be put on so when they are used again, they are just hooked on, taking just a few seconds.
“ They’re ideal for boats coming onto pontoons, especially in marinas. You often see crew members jumping off to stop a yacht hitting the pontoon. This way the skipper doesn’t need to worry as much.”
So far the fenders have been tested by Dart Harbour Authority and have proved to be very successful.
Tim has also come up with a rib fender having found that many people buy small fenders which don’t stay on the tube and therefore don’t protect the tubes as they are meant to do. They are again also difficult to stow.
The fender design he has come up with is tied to a grab rope and fits neatly over the tube, stopping any abrasion against it.
Tim added: “If the tubes need to be replaced, they’re very expensive. Coming up against a stone wall can prove to be very costly but if the rib is protected this won’t be a problem - buying a fender is much cheaper. The fender will sit between the tube and the pontoon or wall or another boat.
“ These will outlast any rib. The fenders are ideal for yachtsmen who use a rib to row out to their boat or for clubs which use a rib as a safety boat.”
Ends

Editor’s notes: Compass Marine, which specialises in fenders and buoys, sells more fenders than anyone else in the country, selling direct to the public either at exhibitions and shows or via their website – www.compassmarine.co.uk
All types of fenders are sourced, together with related items such as covers and cleats from the world’s leading manufacturers.

For further information contact Katina Read at BreezeMarine on 01626 353333 or Compass Marine on 01803 835915.

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