The Polyform MF44 Marina Fender: Permanent Pontoon Protection for UK Marinas and Docks
If you manage a marina berth, operate a private pontoon, or want a permanent, maintenance-free fender solution on your dock — the Polyform MF44 Marina Fender is the professional standard choice across UK marinas, sailing clubs and commercial harbour installations.
Unlike inflatable boat fenders that are deployed and stowed each time, the MF44 is designed to be permanently mounted to the side of your pontoon, dock edge or mooring post. Once fitted, it provides continuous, passive protection for every vessel that comes alongside — with no inflation, no maintenance and no deterioration over time.
What Makes the MF44 Different
The MF44 is manufactured from Polyform’s patented BACELLâ„¢ material — a closed-cell ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam compound developed by Polyform in Norway specifically for marina fendering applications. BACELLâ„¢ has a 100% waterproof closed-cell structure, meaning it never absorbs water, never rots and never loses its cushioning properties over time. It also contains UV inhibitors throughout the material, so unlike cheaper foam alternatives it will not degrade, discolour or become brittle in the sun.
Critically — BACELLâ„¢ will not mark your boat’s hull or leave rubber residue on your gelcoat. This makes the MF44 particularly suitable for marinas and pontoons where vessels with pristine white or painted hulls berth regularly.
Versatile Installation — Fits Any Pontoon or Dock
The MF44’s flexibility is one of its most practical advantages over rigid dock fenders. Because BACELLâ„¢ foam has genuine flex, the MF44 can be:
- Bent around corners and curved pontoon edges
- Cut to exact length with a standard handsaw
- Drilled and screwed directly into timber, GRP or metal pontoon structures
- Mounted vertically on dock posts or horizontally along pontoon edges
- Cut at angles to fit non-standard corners and awkward berth configurations
Each pack includes mounting brackets and full fitting instructions. Standard screws are not included — use stainless steel screws appropriate for your pontoon material to ensure corrosion-free long-term installation.
Who Uses the MF44?
The MF44 is used widely across the UK boating industry:
- Marina operators — fitting the MF44 to finger pontoon edges protects visiting boats and reduces liability from hull damage
- Sailing clubs — permanent fender protection on club pontoons and dinghy dock edges
- Private pontoon owners — the most cost-effective way to permanently protect a private mooring
- Boat owners with fixed berths — fitting the MF44 to your own berth provides consistent protection without deploying inflatable fenders every time
- Harbour authorities —
MF44 vs MF60 — Which Do You Need?
The MF44 (85mm high, 44mm deep) is Polyform’s entry-level marina fender — ideal for lighter-use applications, private pontoons and finger berth edges where vessels are relatively sheltered and loads are moderate. For more demanding commercial installations, high-traffic berths or applications where larger vessels berth regularly, the MF60 (140mm high, 60mm deep) provides greater cushioning capacity. Both are available from Boat Fenders Direct with next day UK delivery.
Installation Tips
For best results, clean the mounting surface thoroughly before installation. Pre-drill fixing holes through the MF44 and into the pontoon structure. Use stainless steel screws of sufficient length to provide a secure fixing — we recommend a minimum of 50mm screws into timber. For GRP pontoons, use appropriate self-tapping fixings. If mounting around a corner, warm the MF44 slightly in warm water to make it more pliable before bending into position.
Each pack comes with two strips of fender (at the price shown), mounting instructions and plastic brackets (Screws are NOT included). You can view our “how to fit the MF series video below”
