Telescoping boat hook - won't collapse

[SecondBase]

Stuck locked open. Any suggestions before I put the pipe wrench to it?

[Paul Elliott]

Soak it in fresh water. Perhaps add some vinegar. Go slow and be gentle. When that doesn't work, force it. Sometimes it breaks and you just have to buy a new one.

And if you can't find a place to soak the pole in fresh water, you might try lowering it overboard and letting it soak in salt water. That might actually work -- I've not tried it myself.

[Don C L]

You might try wrapping a towel around it and soaking it in boiling hot water fora while. You might try Kroil (good penetrating oil) on it first too.

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by Don C L

You might try wrapping a towel around it and soaking it in boiling hot water fora while. You might try Kroil (good penetrating oil) on it first too.

Hot water might work, but Kroil will likely destroy the nylon locking ring inside. Fresh water-vinegar solution seems like the best thing to try.

[UNCIVILIZED]

If the above suggestions don't do it, try applying cold in the regions around where things are stuck. The colder the better, as it causes the metal to contract (shrink).

[Orion Jim]

I had this issue last season. I sprayed WD40 in it and let it sit overnight. Next morning a strap wrench did the trick.

[dfelsent]

Store it full length on a shroud. Lash a ring to the shroud just above the turnbuckle. Lash a cleat at about shoulder height. Put the tip of the hook in the ring and tie the handle end of the pole to the cleat. Super convenient and no messing around with locking mechanisms.
Of course this works best with 8 foot bronze tipped solid wood hooks. But it is really easy to get to and much simpler than the hook lost in the locker.

Of course the other posters have great ideas for dealing with the stuck telescoping mechanism. My solution was to ditch the mechanism entirely.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

I had this issue last season. I sprayed WD40 in it and let it sit overnight. Next morning a strap wrench did the trick.

I'd venture that some variants of the Icicle Hitch, Rolling Hitch, or Prusik Knot would grip it firmly enough to break it free. Though you'll need to be careful not to dimble the tube.

And I'm all for the idea of stowing it full length on a lower shroud, where it's out of the way, but always ready for use.

[iancoombe]

I went straight to the pipe wrench and did no damage, opened it and cleaned it completely. Just put some towels or something in the jaws. you will know if you're going to do damage.
Good luck

[SecondBase]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

Store it full length on a shroud. Lash a ring to the shroud just above the turnbuckle. Lash a cleat at about shoulder height. Put the tip of the hook in the ring and tie the handle end of the pole to the cleat. Super convenient and no messing around with locking mechanisms.

Good idea !

I keep 2 boathooks onboard. I'll put them to the shrouds on each side. This will also eliminate an ongoing annoyance I've had with the primary boat hook jostling the switch for the secondary bilge pump down below.

I'll also get try the locking mechanism suggestions

Thank you all for the tips.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

Hot water might work, but Kroil will likely destroy the nylon locking ring inside. Fresh water-vinegar solution seems like the best thing to try.

Good to know! I did not know Kroil damaged nylon. Thanks for correcting me.

[Alberg30Shill]

A good squirt of pbblaster and leave it overnight. Should open fine the next day. Worked for me.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by SecondBase

Stuck locked open. Any suggestions before I put the pipe wrench to it?

What is the brand? Some do this, some seldom do.

In my experience, once they start, it's over.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

Hot water might work, but Kroil will likely destroy the nylon locking ring inside. Fresh water-vinegar solution seems like the best thing to try.

Is this based on experience with Kroil and nylon, or just conservative assumption. I would like to know.