Boat Fender FAQ

Find all your answers about our boat fenders here.

Boat Fenders

Wondering how to choose, use, or maintain your boat fenders? Our FAQ has all the answers to keep your boat protected and your fenders performing their best.

SENTRY

LockCAM is SENTRY's integrated attachment and height adjustment system. Unlike a traditional fender line, SENTRY uses a flat strap — it won't sour or degrade over time and slides smoothly through the LockCAM. The cam is always in the locked position, so there's no separate locking step. Press the lever down, slide the strap to where you need it, release — the cam re-engages and SENTRY holds position without a knot. To cinch the fender tight against the hull, pull both straps the way you would tighten a backpack and let go.

That opening is designed to give you access to your cleat while SENTRY is deployed. Pass a dock line directly through the hole and you can still reach and use the cleat without removing or repositioning the fender. It's a small detail that makes a real difference when you're managing lines at a busy dock.

Yes — and it's one of SENTRY's most useful features. The curved backside hugs a piling naturally. Cinch the straps around it and SENTRY holds position, making it ideal for quick stops at restaurant docks or anywhere you're tying up to whatever's available.
SENTRY can also attach to railings or any fixed point you can't drop a loop over. Let out all of SENTRY's strap to create one large loop, feed that loop around the railing or through whatever opening you're working with, then drop the fender body through the loop itself. Now that the strap is attached you can adjust and tighten from there like normal. Once you do it once it's completely intuitive.

SENTRY is built from MISSION's patented XL EXTRALIGHT® closed-cell foam — the same material across our full foam fender lineup. It's lightweight, non-marking, UV-resistant, and doesn't absorb water. Unlike traditional vinyl fenders, there's nothing to deflate, no valves to fail, and no residue left on your hull.

SENTRY's closed-cell foam is non-marking and softer than traditional PVC fenders, making it a better choice for gelcoat protection right out of the gate. That said, any fender — ours included — can introduce risk if particulates like sand or grit get trapped between the fender and the hull. It's not the foam doing the damage, it's the debris. The simple fix: keep your fenders clean. A quick rinse or light wipe-down after use removes the grit that causes problems. Clean fender, protected hull.

Yes. Closed-cell foam doesn't absorb water, so saltwater exposure isn't a concern. Coastal boaters already know the drill — rinse everything down after every outing. Your fenders should join that routine. That's all they need.

Yes. Closed-cell foam is naturally buoyant — SENTRY would certainly float if it ever went overboard.

SENTRY is built from closed-cell foam — a material that doesn't degrade the way traditional PVC fenders do. It won't deflate, crack, or yellow over time. With basic care — rinsing after saltwater use and keeping them out of prolonged direct sunlight — these are the kind of fenders you buy once and stop thinking about.

RONIN

RONIN is designed to fit all major PWC models — Sea-Doo™, Waverunner™, and JetSki™. RONIN's hooked profile fits naturally around the perimeter of a PWC hull, and the integrated bungee strap cinches to any attachment point on your PWC — grab handles, handlebars, or whatever works best for your specific model.

No — and that was the whole reason MISSION built it. Before RONIN, the only real PWC specific fender options required drilling into the hull for permanent hardware. RONIN's foam shape combined with the integrated bungee strap makes attachment easy and intuitive without any permanent modifications or hardware. No drilling, just fast clean attachment.

RONIN's hooked foam profile is shaped to fit naturally around the perimeter of your PWC hull — that shape does most of the work. From there, the integrated bungee strap cinches to whatever attachment point works best for your specific model: grab handles, handlebars, or anywhere else you have a secure point to wrap around. No clips, no hardware, no tools. Position it where you need protection and cinch it down.

Yes — the integrated bungee strap gives you flexibility in placement. Bow, stern, sides — wherever your PWC is most exposed at the dock, RONIN can be positioned there. Most riders find their preferred spots quickly and settle into a consistent setup that works for their specific model and docking situation.

RONIN's hooked foam shape is designed to grip the PWC hull perimeter naturally, and the bungee strap provides consistent tension that holds position even with movement in the water. For best results, cinch the strap snugly to your attachment point — a secure attachment means a stable fender and no shifting.

RONIN is built from MISSION's patented XL Extralight® closed-cell foam — lightweight, non-marking, UV-resistant, and buoyant. It won't absorb water, deflate, or degrade the way vinyl alternatives do. The same foam used across MISSION's full lineup of foam fenders.

No. RONIN's closed-cell foam is non-marking and softer than traditional PVC — it's made to protect, not damage. The only real risk with any fender is trapped particulates: sand, grit, debris that gets between the fender and hull. Keep your fenders clean and that risk disappears entirely. A quick rinse or wipe-down after use is all it takes — a dirty fender is the only fender you should worry about.

MAVEN

MAVEN requires two things: a standard perimeter railing in 1¼" or 1½" sizing — MAVEN ships with both hooks to fit either — and a lip or gap just below the rub rail where the lower hook can tuck up into. The large majority of pontoons on the water today have both. Where MAVEN doesn't work is on some unconventional or unique designs with curved fascia fittings or fiberglass walls in place of standard tube railing — if that's your pontoon boat, CANNON is worth a look.

Yes — and honestly that's the whole point. MAVEN was designed to come off so fast that there's no reason to leave it on while you're running. The two-point attachment — lower hook on the rub rail, upper hook over the perimeter railing — creates tension that holds MAVEN exactly in position at the dock and prevents it from pinching up out of the way the way pendant fenders can. That same system makes removal effortless: hook off the top railing, unhook from the rub rail, done. Store fenders under the seats or in a stowage bay while underway.

MAVEN is sold in pairs. Most pontoon owners start with two — some opt for four, either for the option to cover both sides at once, or to add a third/fourth fender at a busier dock where extra protection makes sense.

No — MAVEN is not compatible with Phender Pro. MAVEN's dedicated two-point attachment system — lower hook on the rub rail, upper hook over the perimeter railing — is what makes it work. If you want to use Phender Pro with your fenders, CANNON is the pontoon appropriate MISSION fender built for a proprietary attachment system such as Phender Pro.

MAVEN is built from MISSION's patented XL EXTRALIGHT® closed-cell foam — the same material across our full foam fender lineup. Lightweight, non-marking, UV-resistant, and buoyant. It won't absorb water, deflate, or degrade the way vinyl fenders do. Built to protect your pontoon season after season.

TITAN

Both TITAN options are 10 feet long, so the difference is purely diameter. The 18" diameter is the right call for most boats and setups — it provides substantial coverage and offset for boats up to about 27 ft. The 24" diameter is built for larger boats, deeper V hulls that need more distance between hulls, or anyone who simply wants maximum offset and peace of mind at the raft-up.

TITAN has a D-ring at each end. Once inflated, position it along the hull side with one end at the transom and run it forward from there — this puts coverage where contact is most likely during a tie-up. Tie the D-rings off to the boat at either end. No complicated rigging — just two attachment points and you're done. No need to suspend TITAN off the water — it works best resting lightly on the surface, letting it float naturally in position between the boats.

Fast. A small electric tube pump — the kind most boaters already have on board — inflates the 18" TITAN in roughly 1 minute 45 seconds. The 24" takes a little longer but not much. Don't have a pump? MISSION sells compatible electric pumps. Deflation is just as fast, so packing TITAN back into its mesh bag at the end of the day adds nothing to your day. And honestly — any time spent setting up TITAN is time you'd otherwise spend scrambling with individual fenders as boats come and go. Two minutes of setup buys you the rest of the afternoon.

No — TITAN is designed for boat-to-boat protection during tie-ups and raft-ups, not permanent dock installation. For season-long dock protection, TITAN Dock is purpose-built for that application: heavier duty construction, flexible mounting options, and designed to live at the dock.

TITAN does not include a pump — many boaters already have a compatible one on board. TITAN uses a standard Halkey-Roberts valve, common across most marine inflatables, so there's a good chance the pump you already own works with it. If you need one, MISSION sells compatible electric pumps separately.

TITAN is designed to be durable and resistant to air loss, allowing them to be left inflated for extended periods without significant air loss. However, it’s important to note that, like any inflatable product, they may gradually lose air over time due to temperature changes.

To ensure optimal performance and longevity, it's advisable to periodically check the air pressure and reinflate the fender as needed. If the fender is going to be left inflated for a long duration, it’s also wise to store it in a shaded or protected area to minimize the effects of UV exposure and temperature fluctuations, which can impact the material and overall integrity of the fender.

PREMIUM DOCK LINES

Lines that last.

Double-braided Black NyCore™ with abrasion resistant poly.
SHOP
Boat Cleaning Kit

Make it shine.

Everything you need for day-to-day boat care.
SHOP CLEANING KIT