When picking up a mooring, always use the top ring to pick the buoy up 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.
A buoy's size is determined by the weight of the line or chain it must support. Calculate the weight of your line, plus a 25% safety margin, then consult the buoyancy chart on the individual buoy information page.
Always use chafing gear where mooring lines run through bow chocks or are likely to contact deck hardware. A thimble on the shackled end will prevent chafe at the buoy.
To find the right size fender for your boat, review the Fender Sizing Guide. Common sense, as well as an understanding of your boat and mooring conditions, must be considered in selecting the right fender.
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, providing greater holding power - just 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. Electrician's plastic tie wraps are an excellent means of securing a shackle.
Polyform buoys and fenders can be inflated either with the Polyform hand pump or almost any form of compressed air that will cover the valve. An inflation adapter is available for use with standard compression nozzles or hand pumps.
Polyform products are designed to be inflated to 0.15 bar (2 PSI) of pressure at 20°C (68°F). When inflating without a pressure gauge, fill the buoy or fender until the walls are fully expanded, but make certain you can depress the walls at least 6 mm (1/4 in) with light hand pressure. Measure the circumference and compare it with the inflation chart for proper pressure. Over inflation will reduce the performance of the product and may cause premature failure. Over inflation voids the warranty.
Several types of air sources may be used to inflate your Polyform products:
Remove white plastic screw from the valve (located near the ropehold).
If you are using a gas station or portable air compressor, set your gauge at 1.5 bar (2 PSI). Do not go beyond this setting. Insert the inflation adapter in the valve opening and apply the nozzle to the adapter and depress to start the air flowing. Polyform buoy inflation instructionsIf you are using a hand or foot operated pump, insert the inflation adapter into the nozzle first. The adapter is threaded for your convenience.
Fill the Polyform fender or buoy until the walls are fully expanded. The best way to check that is to measure the circumference of the particular product and match the chart measurement. You should also be able to easily push with your thumb and depress the wall 6 mm (1/4 inch).
After filling the product to the correct size, remove the pump and replace the screw. Remember that you are screwing a plastic screw into plastic threads. The screw will come to a stop when the screw head is flush with the top of the valve casing. Do not force the screw past this point or damage to the valve will occur.
NOTE: Do not use power drills/drivers to tighten. The torque can easily drive the screw through the valve.