Protecting the boat from wheel fenders.

[boys boating around]

I have a 1996 four winns horizon 190 19' on a trailer that has diamond plate wheel fenders over the wheels. Recently coming back from the intercoastal I must have hit a large pot hole or curb and not realized it. (I know how do you not realize hitting something big, but I didn't) So as I get home, clean up the boat, and put her away I notice that one of my diamond plate wheel fenders was cracked. I know it was not that way on the way out so it must have happened on the way home. Then I see it Holy CRAP!!! My boat got damaged

I noticed that when I must have hit the curb or pot hole that it caused the wheel, which has a type of shock on it (not really sure what it's called), to push hard up into the wheel fender which caused the diamond plate fender to crunch up into the boat. This caused 4 good chucks of gel coat to come off from where the diamond plate pattern struck the boat. This also caused the fender to crack. Now I'm not too worried about the damage because I can repair it and you will never know it was there.

My question is does anyone know of a product that I can put onto the top of the wheel fender that would protect the boat from this type of thing happening again. Oh I can not adjust the fender down because it's already at it's lowest point. I'm looking for some sort of rubber spray or texture material that I can apply to the fender and prevent it from damaging the boat in the future.

Thanks

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Protecting the boat from wheel fenders.

my fenders have carpeted plywood on the boat side of them, so IF the boat ever did come in contact, it would slide just like a carpeted bunk. sounds like u might have a different setup though.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Protecting the boat from wheel fenders.

I did that once or twice already. As mentioned above, my boat also has carpeted plywood on the side BUT the bolts that attach it to the fender took a chuck out of my boat. I have 3 nicks from the 3 screw heads holding it on. NOT happy.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Protecting the boat from wheel fenders.

I did that once or twice already. As mentioned above, my boat also has carpeted plywood on the side BUT the bolts that attach it to the fender took a chuck out of my boat. I have 3 nicks from the 3 screw heads holding it on. NOT happy.

when i redid my trailer i countersunk my bolts...my trailer is no where near hitting the boat, but it might be worth taking them off and countersinking the heads a bit.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Protecting the boat from wheel fenders.

Hey Guys,
Any chance of a photo so I can see what you mean ??

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Protecting the boat from wheel fenders.

Adding something on top of the fender decreases the distance between it and the boat even more and you risk even more damage. The solution is to raise the bunks/rollers so the boat sits an inch higher. If that's not possible then lowering the fender is required. That creates another issue in that the tire can now hit the fender even easier so risk cutting a tire down. Do you use stern tie downs. It may be that whatever it was you hit causes the boat to pivot slightly which can easily cause the damage.