Note: It is very important not to over inflate your fenders. Inflating above 2 PSI will not only reduce the performance and may cause premature failure but it will also void the warranty.

When a fender is over inflated its sides bow out and the ends become rounded, as the examples of the over inflated F Series on the left and HTM Series on the right show.

All fenders should be inflated to 2 PSI which will allow you to depress the walls by about half a centimetre or so with only light hand pressure.

Polyform fenders have a unique vinyl valving system with a nylon screw that ensures an airtight seal so first remove the white plastic screw from the valve.

If you are using a airline, set it to 2 PSI, Insert the inflation adapter in the valve opening apply the nozzle to the adapter and depress to start the air flowing. If you are using a hand or foot pump insert the inflation adapter into the nozzle first. The adapter is threaded for convenience.

If at first you have trouble getting air into the fender carefully push a thin phillips head screwdriver (or equivalent thin piece of blunt metal) down the valve to open the little return flap at the bottom of the valve. you should then find the air will go in easily. Please note the screw is the airtight seal not the return flap, don't be concerned if a small amount of air escapes before the screw is replaced as this is normal.

When docking it's best to use at least three fenders, one should be placed at maximum beam and one each at both fore and aft to afford the best protection.

The best fendering technique for rafting is to have the fenders in place on the boat which is already moored or at anchor. Group three standard fenders quite close to maximum beam, then position two round A series fenders fore and aft to afford greater protection when the boats toss into each other.

When attaching your fenders always hang them so that they just touch the surface of the water, tie them off on something solid and as low as possible on your boat. A stanchion base or deck cleat along the rail is preferable as this will prevent the fender from swinging in a wide arc and ending up on top of the dock instead of where they should be, between your hull and the dock.

Note: Avoid hanging fenders from lifelines as this puts too much stress on the lifelines, especially if there is a strong wave or wake action.

To work out what size buoy you require you need to determine the weight of the chain it has to support. All chain has a stated weight per foot, calculate the total and add another 25% of the total for safety. Always use chafing gear where mooring lines run through bow chocks or are likely to contact deck hardware, and a thimble on the shackled end will prevent chafe at the buoy.

Note: When picking up a mooring, always use the top ring to pick the buoy with a boat hook. Then shackle the mooring pennant to the mooring chain shackle, rather than to the buoy itself. This puts all the strain on the anchor chain, rather than the buoy.

When using the CC Series as a mooring buoy following these simple instructions will achieve the maximum use and durability of the product.

1. The CC Series has a flexible centre tube and you must first insert a rigid PVC pipe. DO NOT inflate the buoy until you have inserted the pipe.
    
2. For easy insertion lubricate both the tube and the pipe prior to inserting. Make the pipe long enough to have about 8 cm extending beyond both the top and the bottom of the buoy
    
3. Run an appropriately sized pin for your load through the top of the pipe and attach the shackle to the chain at the bottom of the buoy.
   

In a hard blow the holding power of the mooring can be increased by lengthening the mooring pennant, this increases the scope of the mooring and provides greater holding power. But be sure to check other boats in the moorage first to ensure you won't foul another moored boat. In adverse conditions a second mooring pennant can be run to the top eye as a safety in case the primary pennant chafes through or fails. All shackles should be moused to prevent opening.