Hi Neil,

There are few bigger Space Wasters on a small boat than fenders, I've been using inflatables for years... Only way to go, IMHO...

These are pricey, but well worth the money. They appear to be virtually indestructible, I was pinned to the dock at Sumner Point Marina at Rum Cay in the Bahamas for a couple of days years ago, the surge in there can be pretty bad... It wasn't until near the end of my stay, that I noticed that someone - in typical Bahamian fashion - had once bent several large nails into the face of the piling, rather than attempting to remove them... the fenders didn't even show a mark from the abuse, they are VERY tough, good reason why they appear to be so popular among the megayacht crowd...

With a little 12v inflator, mine can be inflated in about 15 seconds... I carry 4 of their 12 x 29 size aboard when I go off on an extended trip, and feel I'm ready to handle virtually ANY situation with that sort of protection... The number of boats I see with fenders tied to stern rails, granny bars at the mast, or on racks on stanchions, etc - it's a mystery to me why more folks don't go the inflatable route, that can so easily be tucked away when deflated...

One of my favorite bits of gear, HIGHLY recommended... Good vendor, as well - I bought my first pair at the Newport Boat Show years ago, very nice guy who I chat with every year at the shows, and who I believe really stands behind his product...

http://praktek.com/products/fenders/fenders.html

best regards,

Jon