Sandbars and tying off

[haknslash]

TY!!!

I never considered one of the “bouncy balls”..... And was drawing a blank on what you were referring to... Just kept picturing the large playground balls....

No problem, glad to help! I think they're actually called Hippity Hops or Hopper balls. I just call 'em bouncy balls . Like these https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_6?url=search-alias=toys-and-games&field-keywords=hopper+ball&sprefix=hopper,toys-and-games,144&crid=286YTOYDWL6EB

Edit - Geez they make one that is 29" in diameter!!!

 

[Need A Vacation]

No problem, glad to help! I think they're actually called Hippity Hops or Hopper balls. I just call 'em bouncy balls . Like these https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_6?url=search-alias=toys-and-games&field-keywords=hopper+ball&sprefix=hopper,toys-and-games,144&crid=286YTOYDWL6EB

Edit - Geez they make one that is 29" in diameter!!!

I remember having one as a kid... though I think it had a horse head with a handle on each side of its head, instead of the grab handle... but heck, that’s been, well some time ago...

 

[haknslash]

I had one too as a kid and then later on had a pogo ball and pogo stick

 

[RiverRat]

I use the kid toy bouncy balls as well. Somewhere around 10 bucks a piece.

 

[Need A Vacation]

So for those using the kid bouncy balls, have you have any issues with them popping from the force of waves? Either between boats our at a dock?

Definitely intrigued by this awesome idea!!!

 

[BlkGS]

So the bouncy balls go with the fenders? Like a first line of defense?

 

[RiverRat]

I've never popped one. I don't use the smaller fenders at the same time, I probably had them tied on from earlier in the day and just flipped em over the side to put the cover on.

 

[haknslash]

So for those using the kid bouncy balls, have you have any issues with them popping from the force of waves? Either between boats our at a dock?

Definitely intrigued by this awesome idea!!!

We never had one pop and took plenty of big waves and some close calls but boats never touched.

 

[haknslash]

So the bouncy balls go with the fenders? Like a first line of defense?

Pretty much. We use them with fenders.

 

[zipper]

I saw this on FB, a friend of mine works at TNT and I had not seen the Fatsac party bumper yet.

FatSac

www.fatsac.com

 

[jocolo21]

Also use bungee docking lines, if a wake comes the bats will not sling back to each other hard

 

[2kwik4u]

Holy balls. $225/bumper?

Hard pass from me.

 

[zipper]

Holy balls. $225/bumper?

Hard pass from me.

Have you priced fenders lately? The FatSac is 10' long and 20" dia. and covers the side of a boat, shown on a Malibu above. As compared to buying 4 fenders for $320, that are smaller to hang from 4 different points. That sucker is for raft ups and covers a lot of gelcoat. Two fenders are not enough protection during a raft up IMHO. I don't raft up much either, but it looks like good protection for those that do.




We have 4 -10"x26" hanging on the sailboat AND 2 more are 12"x34". 4 total on the dock side and 2 more on the other side. They add up. The Fatsac is not used while docking, just for those who raft up alot. It's not like you need to B.O.A.T.

 

[Babin Farms]

CL and FB marketplace are the places to look for fenders. We picked up 3- Taylor Made 8" fenders for $20 and found plenty more out there when we were looking.

 

[2kwik4u]

@zipper @Babin Farms I'm way less fancy. Have (4) of these from Wal-Mart. Been working great for years. $40+tax.

Robot or human?

 

[Babin Farms]

@zipper @Babin Farms I'm way less fancy. Have (4) of these from Wal-Mart. Been working great for years. $40+tax.

Robot or human?

I don’t like to use the 8 inch because they take up way too much room in the boat so typically I will have my 6.5 fenders with us unless I know we are going to raft up with other boats or need the 8 inch for some reason. Always be on the lookout while on the water also for Fenders just floating along due to people forgetting them when they leave the docs. We found a couple that’s why

 

[2kwik4u]

I don’t like to use the 8 inch because they take up way too much room in the boat so typically I will have my 6.5 fenders with us unless I know we are going to raft up with other boats or need the 8 inch for some reason. Always be on the lookout while on the water also for Fenders just floating along due to people forgetting them when they leave the docs. We found a couple that’s why

I've been in waves heavy enough that my tower has bonked the bimini uprights of the pontoon I was tied to. Had (2) 6.5in bumpers on at the time. One midship cleat, and the other 1/2 floating at the rear swim platform cleat. No damage that we could find.

Does the 8in really do that much over the 6.5in?

 

[FTBS311]

I have a 195S and we are usually out on the lake with friends who have a 25ft Pontoon. We hit the sandbar and tie up every weekend. He puts out 3 large bumpers and i usually put out 2 medium bumpers. He throws his anchor out the front and we never have an issue or damage, even with slight winds or wakes from incoming boats. The trick is the large buffer.

 

[kgower]

BABz Fenders (babzusa.com) don't know if these will make a difference on the rear cleat, but am going to try them. I won't be tying up to unknowns after reading this.

 

[Babin Farms]

Does the 8in really do that much over the 6.5in?

Yep, bigger is better. About lost a windshield due to tying off to another boat with tower & a wake boat plowed by us.