Safe2Dock inflatable dock fenders take the stress out of docking your boat
Unlike conventional fenders which hang vertically, the safe2dock inflatable fenders are mounted horizontally and permanently fixed to the dockside. Being clear of the water, there is no algal growth.
Safe2Dock inflatable fenders help make parking your boat a breeze rather than the breeze parking your boat for you, with often disastrous consequences.
“Having an inflatable fender system permanently fixed around your dock means there is no need to having to attach fenders to your rails before docking. Something that doesn’t always go as planned, especially if you have an inexperienced crew”, says safe2dock’s founder and inventor, Hilton Roberts.
Designed and manufactured by New Zealand company Roberts Brothers International Ltd, the inflatable fenders come in various sizes from 1000mm to 6000mm in length with diameters from 320mm to 450mm and in several colours. The highest quality components, including 316 stainless steel fixings, PVC & TPU fabrics, are used.
“While PVC technology is advancing every day, TPU is still more abrasion resistant and is lighter and more elastic than PVC. TPU offer a long list of other characteristics that make it worth the slight price difference,” says Roberts.
He adds that while PVC fabric is used for their economy and deluxe models, V-fenders and SUP Lite fenders, the TPU is used on all Premium models.
As an innovation for boats with limited manoeuvrability, safe2dock also offer a range of V-fenders, which are designed to be driven into and are a real bonus for boats with a single engine and no bow thruster. The V-fenders are designed to sit in the water and connect to the dock using the same fixing system. This fender is 600mm in diameter and can be supported by a secondary V-buddy which doubles the impact zone to 1200mm. This sits between the dock and the V-fender and is designed to survive a severe impact.
“We also offer a custom service so can essentially manufacture inflatable fenders to suit and owner’s dock”, added Roberts.
