for Grand Banks

In keeping with our mission statement and our business philosophy our introduction of AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders echoes the idea of 'service'.  Since we make a beautiful and practical product - "FenderHooks", why not hang a practical and superior product from its grasp; AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders.  Having seen mishmash things hanging from some very nice vessels, I thought "how can I be of greater service to the yachting community".  Out of this idea grew the idea of "fenderizing" a vessel - provide convenient loci of expertise, product, and availability.  Since we provide the FenderHook, complementary products would be the Fender line (double braided, spliced, and whipped), a unique quality fender, and a Fender cover.

FenderHooks LLC is attempting to provide a source for understanding the importance of a  "fendering system".  Most vessels particularly new ones are "given" their first "fenders" as proper.  (After all the dealer or former owner must know the proper sized fenders!)    The truth be known "you get what you pay for".  Dealers out of ignorance or homage to the bottom line and in their effort not to lose the sale, marginalize some of the add-ons in an effort to reduce the seeming ever increasing costs of vessel ownership. 

Most owners or captains initially accept the vessel "as is".  Then they start investigating each system on the vessel.  Yes, providing proper protection for the vessel while at the dock or rafting is a "system".  This system is composed of fenders, covers, lines and FenderHooks, (nicer than knots).  Let's look at the fenders, a bale of hay works, a black rubber tire works, but hey we are talking about yachts, not 'rust bucket'.  I am partial to AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders, a recent new comer to the yachting scene, for the following reasons: light weight, durability, storability, and warranty.

I have tried Taylor@, Polyform@, and the ball fenders, and they all worked when new and not yet sticky or dirty and the weather was 'calm'.  Covers hide the dirt, but in a storm I remember trying to shove more fenders between the vessel and piling as the piling grew ever larger and the fender ever smaller.  The problem was the fenders were too small to start with and in the extremes, no room to add another fender.  Vinyl fenders tend to be like a balloon, squish it here and it pops out there! Vinyl fenders are small because they are heavy.  AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders weigh about 4 pounds (29" x 12", equivalent Taylor 8 lbs; and Polyform 9lbs) and with limited crew, weight is a serious consideration.  AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders cannot expand uncontrollable, because they have a woven membrane that retains their shape. (They don't become pregnant).

When I first saw AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders at a boat show this bald headed guy was whaling on the small fender with a 1/4 inch bolt that was struck into a wooden handle; no it did not leave a hole or mark!!  Impressive, they're durable, strong, and don't gouge up like the vinyl fenders.  Excellent for use in locks, just wash them afterwards, however be careful around barnacles and oysters.  AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders resists puncturing, but fails the slice test (that's where the warranty comes into play, more on this later).

AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders really shine in their ability to be stored in a small space.  How many heavy vinyl fenders do you have stored in the garage or at the yacht club storage area because there is no room on the boat for "extra" fenders.  And when you need them where are they ... @#$%^&* ?  AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders on the other hand, can be stowed on the boat - rolled up, completely DEFLATED.  They can be inflated in about a minute, and deflated in about 30 seconds and stowed.  Vinyl fenders are not inflatable fenders, but merely inflated fenders.  (Inflatable connotes easy up and easy down) But how long does it take with that tiny little needle, and ok where is that tine little needle when I want to deflate them...?  And how long might that deflating scenario take?  With a built in large sized valve and cover, tiny and misplaced tools are never an issue.  And yes, lung power maybe used as an inflator, ever try this with the vinyl "inflatable" fender.  So the adage is "you can always have enough and BIG enough fenders" is side stepped with the AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders.

Because AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders are filled with air, they are subject to expansion and contraction with the air temperature.  Top them up for cold climes, about 1 lb. psi.  AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders have been tested to 45 psi, so the safety margin very great .  In warm climates, if it feels a bit plump, let some air out.  (We sell a pump with a gauge for the cautious minded, but the fender should feel like a grapefruit.)  Sometimes keeping short fenders in place with a surging vessel is a challenge,  not for AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders because they are made in long lengths, up to eight feet!  Now let the surge begin.  This same long fender (we also have them in 4', 5' and 6' lengths) is used at raft ups; horizontal for the similar type hulls, or vertically for the odd shaped hulls.  Great for large flared bows.  And another interesting tip, if windy conditions are blowing the fender around, put a gallon or two of water in the fender to weigh it down (a teaspoon of bleach with the water, keeps the inside of the fender hygienic).  This same trick can be used with low floating docks,where larger fenders can pop up when the boat is surging, weight them down to hold them down.  I don't think the traditional vinyl fenders can utilize the water tip!

Oh, and the WARRANTY, it's simple, if an AERE´ ^® Inflatable Fenders fails within one year, it will be fixed or replaced.  If after three years, fixed or replaced.  Send it back to the company headquarters in Coral Spring, Florida.  They are most accommodating.  Patch kits are available for the long distance cruisers.