Traditional fenders have remained much the same for decades. The experience of lugging big lumps of vulcanised rubber across the deck and over the side is an experience many sailors are familiar with. Big, heavy, cumbersome rubber tubes, which take up valuable storage space; they do an important job but there must be a better solution? Sure enough, new materials and technology are penetrating all areas of the sport and bringing real benefits. Here we discuss one new manufacturer to look out for – Fendertex, and their inflatable textile fenders.
