The masses often make foolish choices. Just because you see a lot of boats doing
it, doesn't make it smart. It may even increase the odds that it's stupid.

How so? The purpose of a fender is to keep your boat from banging into
other things, or other things from banging into your boat. Tires work
wonderfully well for that purpose as they can be obtained in various
grades of size and flexibility to work with nearly any size of vessel
up to about 200 ft. in size. Readily obtainable in most places in the
world.

In fact, "if you see a lot of boats doing it" usually does make it a
good idea. Take the diversity of fishing boat styles from place to
place. Why there is even a difference between in shore and off shore
hull shapes - all due to different conditions, and thus logical and a
"good idea".

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct Address is bpaige125atgmaildotcom)


It may sound terribly British but............

Hear, Hear!! Well said Sir!!

Peter