Patent ID: 7509920
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. An inflatable fender system for protecting a hull of a watercraft from damaging contact with an object, comprising: two elongated flexible substantially airtight tubular fenders having a relaxed generally flat cross section when uninflated and stored in a rolled up configuration and having a length sufficient for each of said tubular fenders to be extended along a substantial portion of the length of the watercraft; an air supply on the watercraft operably connected to each of said tubular fenders for selectively inflating and expanding each of said tubular fenders from the flat cross section during deployment thereof; a flexible hanger system suspended or suspendable from the gunnel or railing of the watercraft and vertically extending to support said tubular fenders protectively against the side and adjacent the gunnels of the watercraft; said hanger system including an elongated hull track attached to and generally coextensive with a substantial portion of each of the sides of the watercraft; each said tubular fender including a guide slidably engageable in a corresponding said track; a bow winch positioned in general alignment with a forward end of each of said tracks; a tow rope attached or attachable between said bow winch and a forward end of each of said tubular fenders wherein each of said tubular fenders may be extended in the corresponding said track from the uninflated rolled up configuration by operation of said bow winch.