davedpc
Well-Known Member
I sometimes use one of those silly collapsable rods but the solid timber ones can be dangerous if they trap crew between the boat and the quay. Anyone beg to differ ? Dave.
Boat Hooks
- Thread starter davedpc
- Start date
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Regarding collapsible boathooks, they are as you say, silly. Personally I favour a hefty wooden pole with a galvanised steel spike and hook. You need to make sure the spike is good and sharp, otherwise it will just slide off gelcoat instead of digging in.
RogerRat
Well-Known Member
Yes I had the same problem but if you keep a 12 volt scurfer / grinder onboard you can keep them sharp enough.
If I'm out on the quayside at night and want to do some real damage though, I like to keep one of these handy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
If I'm out on the quayside at night and want to do some real damage though, I like to keep one of these handy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Crew discipline not a problem either? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
fluffc
Well-Known Member
Fail to see how you can get trapped by a wooden one in any different way to a collapsible one. In fact, how can you get trapped???
My current wooden boathook has a plastic end fitting.
My current wooden boathook has a plastic end fitting.
RogerRat
Well-Known Member
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
STOCK_INGTOPS
Well-Known Member
I've heard of crew being "speared" by a boat hook when trying to fend off between two boats coming together. I would think that a collapsable boat hook would give you more chance of moving clear if the inevitable should happen! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Searush
Well-Known Member
Getting trapped by a boathook:
1/ approach mooring at speed
2/send wife forward with strong boathook
3/ wife firmly spears boathook through small handle on top of mooring buoy
4/ put engine astern to slow down/ stop
5/ engine stalls & boat overuns mooring at speed
6/ wife unable to pull boathook out of bouy handle and won't let go of boathook (they cost money you know)
7/ as bouy disappears under boat, hook swings forward & down pinning wife to pulpit.
8/ because it is a stout wooden pole, wife gets severe bruising before the pole breaks
Seems outlandish? Yes, it is - but I've seen it happen.
It has taken me some effort to persuade my wife to either operate the controls while I pick up mooring, or to pick up the strop only, not the main buoy. I don't approach at speed, but working in strong current moorings (up to 5kts) means that you need to be able to let go of the boathook sometimes. I always carry two - and they both float! Never needed to repel boarders yet, but at least both me & the missus can be armed if needs be!
1/ approach mooring at speed
2/send wife forward with strong boathook
3/ wife firmly spears boathook through small handle on top of mooring buoy
4/ put engine astern to slow down/ stop
5/ engine stalls & boat overuns mooring at speed
6/ wife unable to pull boathook out of bouy handle and won't let go of boathook (they cost money you know)
7/ as bouy disappears under boat, hook swings forward & down pinning wife to pulpit.
8/ because it is a stout wooden pole, wife gets severe bruising before the pole breaks
Seems outlandish? Yes, it is - but I've seen it happen.
It has taken me some effort to persuade my wife to either operate the controls while I pick up mooring, or to pick up the strop only, not the main buoy. I don't approach at speed, but working in strong current moorings (up to 5kts) means that you need to be able to let go of the boathook sometimes. I always carry two - and they both float! Never needed to repel boarders yet, but at least both me & the missus can be armed if needs be!
davedpc
Well-Known Member
If your body is behind the boat hook when it is forced back unless you can stop several tons of moving boat. sharp end or stock end, plastic metal or wood it will go right through flesh and blood. Many a crew have been killed by a boathook.