any clever ideas for boat hook storage?

[Muaddib1116]

Where do you guys store your boat hook?

I'd like to get a long wooden boat hook, but I'm struggling to think of a good way/place to keep it. Anyone have any neat solutions?

[OloteleMtn]

saloon overhead

[Knotical]

Our boat hook stays on the inside of the port hand rail, the hook end goes through a space under the rail and the other end goes through a small “rope eye”. It’s very snug, never comes out by itself but is there when we need it and it’s out of the way.

[HankOnthewater]

I store them against my rigging, using 2 pieces of PVC pipe, tied with SS wire to the rigging: the handle goes up through one of the pieces on top, and then the end with the plastic hook goes down on the lower piece of PVC. That piece has notch cut out to accommodate the hook. Gravity holds the boathook in place. PVC diameter is approx 30 mm (1.25 inch), and length of PVC is approx 50 mm (2"). I believe it has been on the boat in excess of 12 years..... who knows it maybe more than 30 years?
Never lost a boathook from those mountings, and that way they are always at hand if something goes overboard. I have one forward port side and aft starboard side.... having a ketch make those placings easier. Can make some pics when I am on the boat.

I have a more expensive telescopic one, that lives in a cockpit locker.

Edit: my boathooks are relatively cheap alu ones. I see you have a wooden one, maybe OK to store outside when using the boat, but otherwise needs to be put out of the weather, to keep it in good condition.

[NorthernMac]

Cabin top with the hook on one of the teak hand holds, seems to stay put and be quickly accessed.

[hugosalt]

We store the long, heavy, wood boat hook vertically on rigging much the same as Hank describes above on the 1880's wood oyster dredger I crew on. As I have experienced more excitement than I prefer using hook. (heavy/approx. 10 ft long) My 1st choice is to use
our modern lighter telescoping hook.

[sanibel sailor]

On a prior boat, I lashed a brass ring to shrouds and a piece of 3/8" nylon line with an eye splice just above the turnbuckle. Handle thru eye, about 18" sticking up above ring, and pointy end of hook thru eye. I thought it would ave come adrift but stayed in place across the Atlantic. Storage below is impractical as it occasionally is needed like right now.

I currently use a collapsible aluminum on the handrail. The long wood one was kind of like jousting. Worried I would be impaled. And not too stiff and not well balanced. I liked having a bronze hook but it was unkind to finished surfaces.

[roverhi]

Lashed two rings big enough for pole to pass through to one of the shrouds. One ring is about 6' above turnbuckle, other is just above the swage at turnbuckle. Pole goes through upper ring with the hook in lower ring. Out of the way and ready for instant use. Been on the boat since I bought including a TransPac. Redid the lashings because of UV damage to the line after 10 years or so.

[Muaddib1116]

That's interesting, I was thinking of going to a wood boat hook for strength and rigidity, not really considering weight. Maybe it's just that I've only used low quality collapsible hooks. Any suggestions for a telescoping hook that doesn't slip or flex?


I do like the idea of stowing it against a shroud or backstay. I was also thinking there might be an elegant way of clipping it to the lifelines, or between a couple stanchions, but I haven't found any examples of that online.

[dfelsent]

Stainless ring at the starboard mizzen cap shroud turnbuckle and a lashed on cleat about 5 feet off the deck. The business end goes down into the ring and a line ties the handle off at the cleat.
8 foot varnished ash pole with a bronze pointy end. Available at the drop of a hat.

The other one sits in a chock made to fit the tip and a chock made to fit the handle, alongside the port grab rail. Also easily available. It’s about 6’.

Stout boat hooks can pick thinks up. They can also be used to fend off.

Great tools.

[Muaddib1116]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

Stout boat hooks can pick thinks up. They can also be used to fend off.

That is where my mind is at in regards to wooden boat hooks.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Muaddib1116

Maybe it's just that I've only used low quality collapsible hooks. Any suggestions for a telescoping hook that doesn't slip or flex?

Davis, three piece, extra long... with a reverse hook at the end so you can push line -- as in over the top of a pile or whatever -- when necessary.

-Chris

[steve77]

We took a piece of PVC pipe about a foot long the correct size to provide a close fit with our boat hook, put a cap on one end and drilled some holes in it for drainage. Used hose clamps to attach it vertically to a stanchion of the stern rail. Our boat hook has stayed there securely for the past seven years and through two Atlantic crossings.

Got the idea from a British sailing friend in Texas.

Steve

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

Stout boat hooks can pick thinks up. They can also be used to fend off.

Exactly!
Made 8' poles out of spruce to reduce weight (they aren't weighted to float hook up).

While going through the Erie Canal, they suggested to use a 2x2 (lumber) w/a heavy hook twisted in 1 end if you didn't have wooden poles. No flimsy aluminum telescoping pole will fend off the walls well enough and they were for the most part, useless.

[wholybee]

I have a cheap extendable hook from WM, and have had some less than graceful moments picking up a mooring when I was sure it would break, but it held. I'm not sure wood really has that great an advantage. I think I would be unable to keep hold of it before it broke.

I store it next to the companion way steps within easy reach from the cockpit.