Our inventory of fenders originally included two large ball types, and four tube fenders. The balls were white, not a good color for long term fendering, and they were large and unwieldy. Before departing for Panama we picked up four ball fenders to replace the tubes, in black, which we thought would show the dirt less. These were in the form of two medium and two small balls. We kept the two large balls, but deflated them for easier storage. The tube fenders went to the garage, as they were rarely used.

For modern marinas the four black balls were fine. But for the Panama Canal, or lying against the bulkhead in Halifax, we needed the bigger balls as well.

We have now rafted alongside for the first time and this introduces new fendering issues. We have to fender between two curved surfaces, one of which is likely to be a rough fishing boat. Our six ball fenders are not enough.

A trip to the two marine stores near the Nuuk harbor yielded a pair of orange balls, the same size as our mediums.

So, as you can see in the photo, we now have what would kindly be referred to as a "dog’s breakfast" of colors: two orange, two white, and four black. Very coordinated, don’t you think?

From what we can see in this part of the world, ball fenders provide better protection than do tube style. The issue is going to be storage space for a lot of boats (in our case we can get all eight against the aft bulkhead of the forepeak).