Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Now that I have switched to a pontoon, what is the best bumper to use to protect my boat. My buddies all still have wakeboard boats and bowriders. I need a good bumper to protect both boats when tied up to them in cove. Thanks for suggestions.

I use Taylor Made fenders (or any other decent manufacturer)

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/taylor-ma ... 56_001_005

I then tie a rope to the fender and feed it through this (I have multiple mounted):

http://www.ezfender.com/

For raft ups with other boats, I have found these to be cheap and very effective:

http://www.hopballs.com/adult-hop-balls ... s-13-plus/

I looked at those EZfender and they look like a good option. Going to order a few of those.

That Hop Ball is an interesting idea. Not sure how well it would work with my pontoon tied to a ski boat?

JNorris79 wrote:Not sure how well it would work with my pontoon tied to a ski boat?

The key is not to allow the ski boat bumper to hit your fencing - it will dent it. As for the hippity hop balls, I usually lower them till the are barely touching the water and the deck rail on the pontoon boat. The problem with rafting with ski boats (I used to own a Mastercraft), is their rub rail is much higher than your deck rail so just adjust fenders properly where it is fender on fender that is as close to your deck rails as possible - have your fender hitting your deck rail and have the ski boat lower their fender to match your fender - if that makes any sense.

With all that being said, what will eventually happen is the ski boat will anchor then everyone will jump on your boat and say "I got to get me one of these pontoon boats." Make sure they bring their own beer when they get on your boat.

BobL wrote:

JNorris79 wrote:Not sure how well it would work with my pontoon tied to a ski boat?

The key is not to allow the ski boat bumper to hit your fencing - it will dent it. As for the hippity hop balls, I usually lower them till the are barely touching the water and the deck rail on the pontoon boat. The problem with rafting with ski boats (I used to own a Mastercraft), is their rub rail is much higher than your deck rail so just adjust fenders properly where it is fender on fender that is as close to your deck rails as possible - have your fender hitting your deck rail and have the ski boat lower their fender to match your fender - if that makes any sense.

With all that being said, what will eventually happen is the ski boat will anchor then everyone will jump on your boat and say "I got to get me one of these pontoon boats." Make sure they bring their own beer when they get on your boat.

Haha!! How true.

What's your favorite size ball Bob? I think it's a great idea.

You will not go wrong with the Ez finder set up

If you click on the EZFender ad at the top right of the screen, it will take you to members only pricing. Bryan is very responsive and great to work with. His EZFenders are well made from solid aluminum. Check them out.

Coldbrew...

The adult size is heavier duty but pretty big. Fortunately, they come with pumps. If you have a Toys R Us near you, pickup a couple of sizes and see which ones hold up under your conditions.

BobL wrote:Coldbrew...

The adult size is heavier duty but pretty big. Fortunately, they come with pumps. If you have a Toys R Us near you, pickup a couple of sizes and see which ones hold up under your conditions.

Thanks!