Firefly Bow Fender Guide
Bow contact is an all too familiar part of team racing, whether approaching a mark, attempting to control another boat, or simply getting it a little wrong on the start line, the bow is often the first point of contact when things do not quite go to plan.
While not a boat speed enhancement, a bow fender is an operationally critical part of the setup of a team racing Firefly. Put simply, over time it reduces the impact of the hundreds of small knocks that can be just as damaging as the occasional more significant contact. The role of a bow fender is not simply to protect the boat it is fitted to. A well-designed fender protects both boats involved in the contact. Strength is only part of the story; coverage matters too. The more of the bow that is protected, the more likely the fender is to do its job when contact occurs.
The kSail Bow Fender has been developed through years of fleet management, training and team racing. It uses a heavy duty closed-cell foam core supported by reinforced webbing straps to help keep it in place when the contact does happen.
Installation
The kSail Bow Fender is supplied with three reinforced webbing loops on each side which are used to securely attach the fender to the bow. The fender should be fitted so that it has limited movement around the bow, meaning it can't move significantly during contact.
To fit your bow fender, you will need
- Some 3 or 4mm line. We would normally use Kingfisher 3mm 8 Plait Standard which is available on a mini-reel. Depending on where the fender is being tied to will dictate how much is required!
- A way of cutting the line and sealing the ends.
- A basic working knowledge of knots.
- Access to a drill and wood bits.
To begin with, a length of line should be attached between the upper webbing loops, over the top of the foredeck and directly through the middle of the bow fitting. This line should be tied such that the fender sits just touching the bottom of the gunwale edge.
The side loops can be tied back to one of two places.
- The simplest solution is to tie them all the way back to u-bolt at the base of the shroud; however this does mean a long length of line which can sometimes get caught and is difficult to get tight enough to properly secure the fender.
- The lower webbing strap is angled upwards such that a continuation of the line will meet the gunwale edge about 40cm back from the bow. This is meant specifically for boats which are fitted with wooden gunwale protection. A small 4mm hole can be drilled through the wooden gunwale (for Rondar L Shaped, this should be horizontally as high in the wood as possible to not drill through the fibreglass of the gunwale edge. For boats with laminated gunwale edges, the hole can be drilled downward (taking care to follow the centre of the wood and not drilling into the boat!). Alternatively, a small P clip can be attached on the inside of the gunwale edge using one of the gunwale wood fixing bolts to secure it.
To secure the fender backward, we want to pull the side rope as tight as possible, ideally with a flying purchase. Firstly, tie a bowline through the lower webbing loop then take the line aft through the chosen tie off point and then bring the line back towards the upper loop. Before you pass the line through the loop, tie another bowline in the line, positioned such that when the line is tight the end of the bowline won't quite reach the webbing loop. Then pass the end of the line through the webbing loop and then back to your flying bowline and pass it through that. You've now created a 4:1 purchase to pull the fender onto the bow. Gradually pull each side tight (two pairs of hands make this a lot easier!) and once tight, secure the loose end of the line with a series of half hitches around the pair of lines between the upper webbing loop and your flying bowline.
When fitted securely, there should be little, if any movement to the bow fender.
Things to be aware of
- Fitting fenders can change the balance point of the boat on your trolley
- Check fender tightness before each event.
- Fenders can (and should) be removed before you take the boat fleet racing - however remember to put it back on before Team Racing!
Final Thoughts
Prevention is always better than cure, avoiding contact is always going to be more effective than any level of protection which can be provided. That said, contact is an unfortunate reality of close and competitive team racing. Protecting boats with bow fenders and other equipment is necessary to protect not just the boats but also the pockets of boat owners and sailors.
Available from the kSail Store
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