Fenders should be secured to a stanchion, ______, bitt or cleat. Which item completes the statement?

Fenders should be secured to a stanchion, ______, bitt or cleat. Which item completes the statement?

• A. Deck
• B. Mast
• C. Keel
• D. Handrail

Answer: (D)

Fenders protect the hull from contact with docks or other vessels, so they should be secured to a sturdy, easily reachable fitting along the boat’s sides. A handrail is ideal because it’s built to take load from lines and sits along the gunwale where fenders contact the water, making it easy to reach from a dock and less likely to interfere with movement on deck. Attaching to the deck isn’t as reliable or convenient, the mast is far out of the waterline, and the keel is underwater and inaccessible, so none of those fit as well.

Fenders protect the hull from contact with docks or other vessels, so they should be secured to a sturdy, easily reachable fitting along the boat’s sides. A handrail is ideal because it’s built to take load from lines and sits along the gunwale where fenders contact the water, making it easy to reach from a dock and less likely to interfere with movement on deck. Attaching to the deck isn’t as reliable or convenient, the mast is far out of the waterline, and the keel is underwater and inaccessible, so none of those fit as well.