Deck & Rigging · Direct-from-Factory
Superyacht Inflatable Fenders, Sourced Direct from the Factory
Mercer Yachting works directly with the manufacturers of SEARAFT (Netherlands) and Fendequip (UK) to supply Mediterranean fleets. Dropstitch or welded-seam, custom sizing, and transparent pricing on factory cost. No middlemen, no dealer mark-ups.
New: Read our 3,800-word neutral buyer's guide comparing SEARAFT to Fendequip — construction, sizing, warranties, decision matrix, and which suits your yacht.
When standard fenders aren't enough
Traditional foam fenders are bulky, heavy, and limited to off-the-shelf sizes. Inflatable fenders are different. SEARAFT (Netherlands) builds them from dropstitch fabric for high-rigidity deployment in under two minutes and flat storage when deflated. Fendequip (UK) builds welded-seam inflatables in Hypalon, polyurethane, or HDPVC with a 5-year seam guarantee. Mercer Yachting purchases direct from both factories — no dealer mark-up — and handles sizing, sourcing, and Mediterranean delivery alongside the rest of your fleet's deck and rigging supply.
Procuring for your vessel? See Technical Spares & Procurement — 500+ supplier network, transparent pricing, Mediterranean delivery.
Choose the grade for your operation
Heavy Duty
Ideal for private yachts, superyachts, and crewed charter operations. Premium protection for regular docking, rafting, and Mediterranean coastal cruising. Sizes from 9 inch to 3 ft diameter, lengths to 14 ft.
Explore heavy-duty range →
Commercial
For higher-intensity use — support vessels, ferries, coast guard, and rescue ships. Reinforced seams and uprated material. Sizes from 4 ft to 6 ft diameter.
Explore commercial & military →
Military
Built for extreme conditions, continuous exposure, and tactical use where failure is not an option. 8 ft diameter, suitable for naval and offshore support.
Explore commercial & military →
NEO Custom Covers
Handmade neoprene fender covers that fit any fender brand. Snug fit, UV resistant, abrasion resistant. Available in black, navy blue, and grey. Optional crew branding or yacht name.
Explore custom covers →Fender size guide
Pick the right diameter for your yacht length. Final spec confirmed during quotation — we factor in hull shape, mooring layout, and Mediterranean berthing patterns.
| Yacht length | Length (metric) | Fender diameter | Metric | Recommended grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 – 30 ft | 5 – 10 m | 9 inch | 23 cm | Heavy duty |
| 30 – 45 ft | 10 – 14 m | 10 inch | 25 cm | Heavy duty |
| 45 – 60 ft | 14 – 18 m | 12 inch | 30 cm | Heavy duty |
| 60 – 100 ft | 18 – 30 m | 18 inch | 46 cm | Heavy duty |
| 100 – 200 ft | 30 – 60 m | 24 inch – 3 ft | 61 – 91 cm | Heavy duty / Commercial |
| 200 – 400 ft | 60 – 120 m | 4, 6, or 8 ft | 122 – 244 cm | Commercial / Military |
Fenders from 3 ft diameter and above ship with the SEARAFT load spreading kit (3-point or 4-point swivel).
Why SEARAFT
- Dropstitch construction — same material technology used in performance inflatable boards, holds high pressure with rigidity that traditional fenders can't match.
- 2-minute setup — hand pump or electric. Deflate flat for storage between charters or seasons.
- Custom sizing — any diameter or length within the SEARAFT range. Not limited to off-the-shelf SKUs.
- European manufacture — engineered in the Netherlands, handbuilt in Europe. Family-owned since 2004.
- Worldwide delivery — 7 to 14 business days standard. Med delivery via Mercer's established freight partners.
- Single point of contact — order fenders, lines, dock kits, work platforms, and covers on one PO through Mercer Yachting.
Also available: Fendequip inflatable fenders
Alongside the SEARAFT range, Mercer Yachting supplies Fendequip (maxiStow) — the British manufacturer of superyacht inflatable fenders, hand-built in their South West UK facility. The range covers cylindrical fenders up to 350 × 270 cm and ball fenders to 2 m diameter, in three material grades (Hypalon, polyurethane, HDPVC), all with a 5-year welded-seam guarantee and 10-year UV rating.
Tell us the spec — SEARAFT for dropstitch rigidity, custom sizing, and flat-deflate storage, or Fendequip for welded-seam construction, choice of three bladder materials, and a fender-cover range that fits 20+ brands. We match the right product to the yacht and handle Mediterranean delivery either way.
What ships with each order
- SEARAFT inflatable fender(s) in your chosen size and grade
- Double-braid fender lines, eye-spliced with chafe protection
- Load spreading kit on fenders ≥ 3 ft diameter
- NEO neoprene cover (optional, colour and branding to spec)
- Hand pump or electric inflator (HP20DA, OV10, GE2000, or 18V cordless)
- Repair kit and care documentation
- Mediterranean delivery — alongside in Malta, Sicily, French Riviera, Italian coast, Croatia, or Greece
Frequently asked questions
What size fender does my yacht need?
Use the size guide table above as a starting point — diameter scales with yacht length. For final spec we also factor in hull shape (flare, tumblehome), how aggressive your usual berthing pattern is, and whether you're rafting alongside other vessels. Send us your yacht length and home port and we'll confirm.
How do SEARAFT inflatable fenders differ from traditional Polyform-style foam fenders?
Three differences. First, dropstitch construction holds shape under load where foam fenders compress and deform. Second, they deflate flat for storage — a single 18 inch fender stores in a small bag rather than taking up a deck locker. Third, every fender is made to order, so you can spec the exact diameter and length you want rather than rounding to the nearest off-the-shelf size.
What's the lead time?
Standard sizes ship from SEARAFT in 7 to 14 business days. Custom sizes and NEO covers take longer — typically 3 to 5 weeks. Mediterranean transit from the Netherlands is 4 to 7 days by road freight. Rush options available for charter handovers.
Can I get fenders with my yacht name or charter branding?
Yes — NEO neoprene covers can carry yacht name, charter brand logo, or crew identification. We supply Mercer Yachting branding guidance to SEARAFT during the production run. See the custom covers page for details.
Are these suitable for commercial or naval use?
The commercial grade is built for support vessels, ferries, coast guard cutters, and rescue ships — anywhere the fenders see higher-frequency, higher-force docking than recreational use. The military grade (8 ft diameter) is built to endure continuous exposure and tactical deployment. Both grades carry uprated material and reinforced seams.
What pumps work with SEARAFT fenders?
For small to mid sizes (9 to 18 inch), the HP20DA double-action hand pump is enough — about 2 minutes per fender. For larger fenders or charter operations doing repeated cycles, the OV10 electric pump (120V or 230V) or the GE2000 high-pressure electric pump are faster. The 18V cordless inflator works well for crew-deployable use without shore power.
How do you deliver to a yacht in transit?
We coordinate with the captain and agent for an alongside delivery at the next port. Standard Mediterranean ports — Malta, Palermo, Naples, Nice, Genoa, Olbia, Split, Athens — are covered by our regular freight partners. For ports outside the standard route we'll quote freight separately.
Do the fenders need annual servicing?
SEARAFT fenders are low-maintenance. Rinse with fresh water after use, store deflated, and check the valve seal seasonally. A repair kit ships with every order — most punctures or seam wear can be field-repaired in 30 minutes. We recommend a visual inspection at the start of each charter season.