Does the Fendergrip work as easy as it looks?
Yes. Pushing the black button allows the fender to drop down right where you want it. Releasing the button sets the line. To go up, grab the Fendergrip and pull the free end of the line; wherever you stop, it's set!
Do I have to buy a specific model Fendergrip for my line size?
No. There is only one model Fendergrip which is a universal fit. We recommend 3/8", 7/16", or 1/2" line.
What if my line is bigger than 1/2"?
First, double check and measure your line size. Many boaters think in terms of their MOORING line size which is often 5/8" and larger. As 5/8" line will not fit through the holes on most fenders, chances are good that your FENDER line size is smaller.
If you do have huge fenders, your option would be to change the fender line to 1/2" double braid, which is typically rated at 7,000 lbs test; this is more than enough strength for ANY fender and costs about 45¢ per foot.
Do I have to use braided line?
No. The Fendergrip works equally well with twisted or braided line.
What holds the Fendergrip on the rail?
The Fendergrip is the only fender adjuster that uses the fender's line to hold itself to the boat; the fender line is still holding most of the fender's load. This makes the Fendergrip's hold on the fender much more secure than any other fender holder on the market.
What size rail can I use the Fendergrip on?
Any size diameter and shape of railing works well; round, oval, or square.
What if my rail is bigger than 1" diameter? Will this be a problem?
No. No matter what the size or shape of rail, the Fendergrip will perform 100% perfectly. Although a rail larger than 1" in diameter will not be received completely in the saddle area, the saddle will act like a self-centering notch beneath the rail. In fact, we could have made the Fendergrip without a saddle altogether, and its top would have been solid and flat; the performance would have been just as great. In short, "not sitting completely in the saddle" is an aesthetic issue that cannot be seen when viewed from above the rail.
What about oval wood rails?
Fendergrips work just fine on wood rails. In fact, when wood rails are over 2 1/2" width, the Fendergrip will not even touch the underside of the wood rail. A rule of thumb is as follows; if you presently tie your fenders to your wood rails, then you may use the Fendergrip effectively.
Please note that a fender line may chafe a highly polished wood rail; this is an issue to some boaters. For those who finish their wood rails seasonally, this is not an issue.
Will the Fendergrip allow the fender line to be pulled through?
No. If you use a 3/8", 7/16", or 1/2" line, the fender height will not change unless you push the button.
Is my boat too small to use Fendergrips?
No. The beauty of the Fendergrip® is that it may be used on small dinghies , or large yachts.
The smallest boat we know of using Fendergrips is a 13 foot Boston Whaler . With rails down both sides, the Whaler's owner bought the Fendergrips not only for the ease of adjustment, but for the fender storage it provided when using the fender horizontally.
How large a fender will the Fendergrip hold?
The largest yacht we know of using Fendergrips is 103 feet in length, with one meter diameter ball-style fenders. This application has been in use since 1993 and has worked flawlessly.
How do you place the Fendergrip on the rail the very first time?
Pass the line up through the side opposite the black button. Then over the rail, push the button, and down through the other hole; that's it!
After this first time use, the idea is to store the Fendergrip with the fender so that it's ready to use next time.
I like to move my fenders around; does the Fendergrip have to stay where you place it?
No. It is easily removed and placed elsewhere.
How easy is it to reposition the Fendergrip on another part of the boat?
It's very easy. Push the Fendergrip's button and let the line run out of the top. Then go place it where you like, push the button, and drop the line back through.
What happens to the Fendergrip when you are ready to store the fender?
The Fendergrip locks on top of the fender for storage. The Fendergrip can also be used to lock the fender in a fender holder if traveling in rough water.
What's are the advantages of using the Fendergrip?
The Fendergrip works! It may sound silly to state the obvious, but our product really works as advertised! (Many competitors claim their products work, but in the real-world boating environment, these products can actually hinder fender use).
The Fendergrip gives you speed and safety of a push button. It takes time to tie knots and adjust fenders when you're away from the comfort of your dock. In result, boaters often do not use fenders because of the hassle in adjusting them, and fend off another boat, or a dock, with their hands and feet; this is extremely dangerous and often can result in serious injury. Fendergrip offers you instant adjustments and lets you use your fenders more effectively!
The Fendergrip allows you to tail and adjust a line under load, without assuming the line's load on your hands. Holding a fender line under load is very dangerous; a line may be easily ripped from you hand.
The Fendergrip uses the fender line to secure the fender to the boat; it's as if you tied a knot by hand! OTHER fender adjusters use a strap, suction cup, or hook to hold the fender to the boat. These designs greatly reduce the load the fender can handle and are easily stretched, pulled off the boat, or broken, when loaded severely.
The Fendergrip cannot jam: Guaranteed! The Fendergrip's unique design enables you to clear the channel and release the line no matter what the load. Some other products will deform or jam under a severe load; damaging the fender line and making further adjustment impossible.
The Fendergrip can provide a means of fender storage. When using two Fendergrips with a horizontal hole-through-the-middle fender, the fender may be pulled up, and stored against the rail . This also means that there are no costly fender racks to buy, install, or obstruct your view forward!
The Fendergrip stays with the fender. When you want to put away your fenders, Fendergrip is the only adjuster that stores atop of your fender ready for the next use; other brands must be stored separately!
How does the Fendergrip grab the fender line?
The side with the push button houses a pivoting cam that is biased by a stainless steel compression spring. The cam is coupled to the push button so that when the button is pushed, the cam releases the line. When the button is released, the spring naturally sets the line in place.
Will the Fendergrip damage my fender line, or my rail?
No; the fender line and railing still look great after thousands of cycles!
What is the Fendergrip made out of?
Dupont®'s Delrin®, a resin most often used for high-end marine applications.
What's special about Delrin?
Delrin maintains it's strength and color after being exposed to the sun and sea for years. It contains an ultraviolet (UV) inhibitor that screens out damaging sun rays. Many competitors use nylon which is a cheap and weak material. Nylon loses its strength and color with sun exposure.
Are there any metal parts in the Fendergrip?
Yes; four 316 stainless steel screws and one 316 stainless steel compression spring.
Has there ever been a spring failure?
No; and there are over 175,000 Fendergrips in use!
How long has the Fendergrip been on the market?
The Fendergrip was introduced in June 1993.
The Fendergrip seems expensive. Why so much?
Actually, the Fendergrip is priced within a dollar or two of most other competing fender adjusters that are less useful and less durable.
In fact, many other fender adjusters are so poorly made, that they require replacement within a few months of use due to malfunctioning, or breakage. Of course, unless you are present when the other, cheaper adjusters fail, you not only will lose your adjuster, but the whole line and fender as well! Most importantly, the boat will have lost the protection of the fender.
The Fendergrip is a one time purchase that should last you the lifetime of your boat. Why not spend a few dollars more and get the best! We are the number one selling fender adjuster for a reason; there are no compromises when it comes to the quality of the Fendergrip's components; only the best materials are used and hand assembled for perfect operation.
Are there any other products that have the Fendergrip's design?
No. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has issued two patents for the Fendergrip's unique design.
How are Fendergrips assembled?
EACH Fendergrip® is carefully hand assembled, inspected, and tested for perfect operation before packaging.
Is the Fendergrip buoyant?
No. Since the specific gravity of Delrin is 1.6, the size of the Fendergrip would have to be enormous to create an air cavity large enough to achieve buoyancy.
