Bow PVC Fender (White) – One-Piece Molded Bow Protection Fender

A bow PVC fender (“mustache” style) is specifically designed to absorb impact when your boat’s bow makes contact head-on with a dock or another surface. With its unique shape resembling a pair of mustache-like arms on either side of the bow, this fender wraps around the bow’s forefront, protecting both the prow and a portion of the port and starboard sides from damage. It also shields accessories like bow rails or anchor rollers from direct hits.

This fender is made using single-piece molding under pressure, resulting in a monolithic unit – there are no glued seams or joints that could fail. The wall thickness (1.2 mm on the smaller model, 1.4 mm on the larger) provides excellent strength and puncture resistance, while the PVC remains slightly flexible to effectively cushion impacts. The material is UV-resistant marine-grade PVC, so it can endure long-term exposure to sunlight and saltwater without cracking or becoming brittle.

Construction & Design: The top section of the fender is broad and curved to contour to the shape of the bow. The two “mustache” arms extend around each side of the bow to maximize coverage of the area that would first touch the dock. There are three reinforced rope holes built into the fender: one at the bottom center and one at each tip of the upper arms. This allows multiple lashing configurations:

• The side holes are used to tie the fender to cleats or railings on the port and starboard sides of the bow, holding the fender’s arms up and around the bow like a big U-shape.
• The bottom hole can be tied down (for instance to a bow eye or around the anchor housing) to prevent the fender from riding up and to keep it firmly in position over the bow’s front.

When properly secured, the fender stays exactly where the bow would hit the dock during a straight-on approach, taking the brunt of the impact and distributing it across its cushioned surface.

Two Sizes for Different Boats:

• Model 00818-1 (Small): Approximately 33 cm high x 40 cm wide, this size is ideal for small to medium boats (~5–7 meters in length). Examples include small fishing boats, rigid inflatables (RIBs), or day cruisers where the bow often comes into contact with docks. It weighs about 0.95 kg and has an eye diameter of ~12 mm for lines, meaning you can use roughly 10–12 mm rope to secure it. Inflated, it provides ample cushioning for vessels in the 1–2 ton range.
• Model 00818-2 (Large): Approximately 53 cm high x 60 cm wide, this larger size is intended for bigger boats (~8–12 meters). It suits cruisers and motor yachts in the 26–40 ft range, which have a broader bow area requiring protection. This model weighs around 2.25 kg and features ~14 mm rope holes to accommodate sturdier 14–16 mm lines necessary for heavier boats. Once inflated, it can handle the momentum of a larger, heavier hull (with thrust often exceeding 5–6 tons in displacement).

Both versions are delivered uninflated. Inflation is done via a built-in high-quality valve (plastic valve with cap) that ensures an airtight seal. It’s recommended to inflate the fender to a firm but slightly yielding pressure – enough that it’s rigid and won’t bottom out easily, but not so much that the PVC is stretched to its limit (to allow some give for optimal shock absorption). The valve also allows you to adjust pressure or deflate the fender for flat storage when it’s not needed.

Durability: The PVC used is treated for UV resistance and can handle the marine environment’s rigors, including exposure to fuels, oils, and common dock grime. The fender’s glossy smooth finish means that dirt or dock marks can be wiped off with a cloth, and the material doesn’t chafe easily. Even under frequent use (pressing against concrete piers or rubbing on rough pilings), this bow fender maintains its integrity and shape. If it ever gets punctured, it can be repaired with standard PVC patch kits for inflatable boats or fenders.

The “mustache” bow fender is especially useful for Mediterranean mooring (bow-in docking), towing operations, or emergency situations where you might intentionally push your bow against another boat or object. It protects not only the structural bow of the boat but also sensitive elements like navigation lights or anchor fittings by keeping them from direct contact. Many captains will deploy this bow fender in combination with regular side fenders when docking bow-to – thereby surrounding the forward section of the vessel with cushioning from all angles.