Rope fenders

[GreeboTheCat]

Where's the best source of rope fenders for my Glasgow?

Yippee! it's Friday...

[andygh]

They're very easy & satisfying to make yourself (not to mention cheaper), with the bonus that you can make them exactly the size you need

http://navi.modelisme.com/article332.html

[tonyh]

Bow Wave models of Somerset, make a selection of bow and side fenders to order. I have just ordered a bow fender for my 'Veron Police Launch'. Available in natural beige or aged hemp (coffee colour)
http://www.bow-wave-models.webeden.co.uk

Tony.

[mjt60a]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that they can be made by cutting lengths from a tennis shoe lace and stuffing it with polymer wool (stuffing in duvets, and used for fish tank filters) don't know how it'd cope with getting wet though.....

[Bierjunge]

They're very easy & satisfying to make yourself (not to mention cheaper), with the bonus that you can make them exactly the size you need

http://navi.modelisme.com/article332.html

Thanks for the link!
Maybe a slightly faster and easier method with still satisfying results would be the classic "Knitting Nancy" (german: "Strickliesl"). A mere child's play! I've improvised one out of an old wooden yarn spool. When the knitted tube starts to form, simply let some filling material (rope, cotton or foam) gradually slip into it, and pull tight both ends as soon as the core is entirely covered. Done!

[Eddy Matthews]

I know I used to do that using a cotton reel as a kid Gretzschel, but I cannot for the life of me remember how to do it..... Can anyone explain it again for me please?

Eddy

[Bierjunge]

I know I used to do that using a cotton reel as a kid Gretzschel, but I cannot for the life of me remember how to do it..... Can anyone explain it again for me please?

Very easy: Pull the thread through the center of the spool, and make a loop around all pins. It should look exactly like my first picture. Hold the thread above the loop on the first pin (in my 1st picture, showing this moment, look at the pin at 5 o'clock). By means of a crochet hook, carefully lift that first loop over the pin (and over the thread you are holding against that pin) and let it slide into the center. Doing is easier than explaining...
Repeat this at the second pin (in my picture the 7 o'clock pin). And so on. And so on... Keep some slight tension on the thread running through the spool.
After a few rounds, you get something looking like a spider's web. As soon as the center of the web disappears into the spool, a hose is forming, and you can start to feed in some filling material (2nd picture).
When you think it's enough, thread the yarn through the loops of the top row while you lift them off the pins (3rd picture), pull tight, and you're done (4th picture).
Have fun!
Moritz

[andygh]

Maybe a slightly faster and easier method with still satisfying results would be the classic "Knitting Nancy"

Yes I tried that method too, it works OK but just looks kind of "knitted" rather than "knotted", the other type look far better IMHO.

Here's my first attempt

[GreeboTheCat]

Thanks for all the suggestions fellas, haven't decided which method to use yet but I do remember my wife teaching the kids the method with a cotton reel