@FlyboyZR1 Here are exact
bumpers I got. They flex a bit but they don't provide as much coverage as your current setup. The issue I had using them was securing them to the handle and not move around. Using some paracord laying around, I fashioned a flexible "skeleton" to prevent it from sliding up and down and, using a S-biner, can quickly get them on and off. But it was hard for someone else to clip it on and if the cord got loose, took a while to set it back up properly. I am currently busy till the beginning of August to really dedicate time to coming up with a better and more reliable solution, but I will try to think of something in my spare time.
As far as your setup, I actually think it's actually pretty good and a great easy and quick thing to do. What does it do that makes you say it's not sturdy? Do the pool noodles not stay in place and slide up and down?
@LikeabossTM I agree, trying to be overly protective can be a hinder and, like you said, to each their own. In regards to protecting the transom, I am interested in finding a solution as FlyboyZR1, but for a different reason. Whenever I go to the lake, I'm with someone so I drive the boat off the trailer and don't ever really tie up to the dock. To pick up the driver, or passengers that arrive later on, I don't like tying up to the dock for passengers to get on from the small edge at the transom. Instead, I back up the boat to the end of the dock and do my best to get within a few inches of the dock for people to walk onto the back. As we all know how hard it is to operate a jet boat at low speeds, doing that took some practice but my issue is with water current or waves from other boats or weather that cause the boat to shift sideways and unable to hold a good distance and angle to the dock. For older people who can't handle a wide step/hop, I used those flat fenders to allow me to reverse against the dock and keep the transom parallel with the end of the dock and hold that longer. But again, things happen and I end up at an angle and if I had something to essentially cushion the entire rear of the transom and the corners, it would make loading and unloading people for me much easier.
Plus, after learning the hardware the difficulties and expense of some repairs, the time and headache of it, even if the other person foots the bill, it's worth preventing any potential damage. I know a deep cut into the gel coat is just costly primarily when trying to color match the boat. If spending $50 prevents dealing with that headache of repairing it and not coming out right, worth it.