How to Make a Boat Fender Cover - Center Rope Style

X-HT-200644

Fenders are an important piece of equipment for your boat, as they keep your boat's hull from hitting the dock or even other boats. Protect your fender from the elements and your boat's hull from chafing with a soft cover for your fender. Fender covers are simple to DIY and a great project for beginning sewers.
Video Chapters:
  • Patterning – 0:43 min.
  • Installing Grommet in Top – 3:36 min.
  • Sewing Top & Body – 4:48 min.
  • Creating Sleeve With Tensioning Line – 6:37 min.
  • Materials List – 9:31 min.
Materials List:
  • Boat Blanket Gray 72" Fabric – #100111
  • #4 Spur Grommet 1/2" (Nickel-Plated Brass) – #26318
  • PremoBond® Tex 90 (V-92) Black UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. – #123338
  • Leech Line Dacron® 1/8" White – #21209
Tools List:
  • Tape Measure 120" – #102986
  • Sailrite® Edge Hotknife Package – #103800
  • Sailrite® #4 Hole Cutter 1/2" – #18213
  • #4 Spur Grommet Die Set 1/2" – #18205
  • Sailrite Rubber Poundo Board 12" x 12" – #123962
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine – #311502
  • Yardstick, Marker, Scissors

Please Note: We have two fender cover videos. Make sure you follow the cover instructions that match your fender style. This video is for a center rope or through-hole fender style. If your fenders have a two-eyelet shape, you can see how to make a cover for those in our "Making a Boat Fender Cover" video tutorial (#200337XHT).

How to Make a Boat Fender Cover Center Rope Style Video 2
How to Make a Boat Fender Cover for Center Rope Style - Video 2

There are many different styles of fenders and today we’re going to show you how to make a cover for a center rope style fender. If your fenders have a two-eyelet shape, you can see how to make a cover for those in our "Making a Boat Fender Cover" video tutorial (#200337XHT).

To cover our fender, we selected Boat Blanket fabric in a soft gray color. This fabric is a plush, durable polyester spectropile fabric. It is UV and chemical resistant, colorfast and can easily withstand a marine environment while staying soft enough to not harm the side of your boat. Boat Blanket is safe to use against gel coat and other hard-coated surfaces and will protect against marring or color transfer on your hull.

In this video you will learn how to measure your fender and sew your own Boat Blanket fender cover.

How to Make a Boat Fender Cover Center Rope Style Video 3
Fender Cover by Sandra K.

This fender cover project was inspired by a customer, Sandra K., who sent us photos of her fender covers. We used a similar process to Sandra’s to create our cover. We love to see customer projects; thanks, Sandra!

What did you think of this project? Have you ever made fender covers before? Share your experiences, opinions and ideas with us in the comments!

Materials List:

Boat Blanket Gray 72" Fabric

#100111

Boat Blanket Gray 72" Fabric

#4 Spur Grommet 1/2" (Nickel-Plated Brass)

#26318

#4 Spur Grommet 1/2" (Nickel-Plated Brass)

PremoBond Tex 90 (V-92) Black UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.)

#123338

PremoBond® Tex 90 (V-92) Black UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.)

Leech Line Dacron 1/8" White

#21209

Leech Line Dacron® 1/8" White

Tools List:

Tape Measure 120"

#102986

Tape Measure 120"

Sailrite Edge Hotknife Package (110V)

#103800

Sailrite® Edge Hotknife Package (110V)

Sailrite #4 Hole Cutter 1/2"

#125483

Sailrite® #4 Hole Cutter 1/2"

#4 Spur Grommet Die Set 1/2"

#18205

#4 Spur Grommet Die Set 1/2"

Sailrite Rubber Poundo Board 12" x 12"

#123962

Sailrite® Rubber Poundo Board 12" x 12"

Sailrite Ultrafeed LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

#311502

Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine (110V)

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