Picking up a bouy gadget thingy......

[aquaholic]

Looking for one of these devices that hook your line through the ring on the bouy so you dont have crawl on your belly to reach down to it, heard there are a few different types and wondered which one would be best.

 

[AndersGu]

We have one. It is a metal rod, approx one meter long with a hook at one and and a plunger that closes the hook, operated by a ring at the other end. You just hold the plunger open and catch the buoy, then let the plunger drop.

There is a similar one lying on the bottom of the top picture, here:
http://seaside.nu/sea8.asp

 

[emnick]

We have one of the yellow plastic ones. I dont find it any good, more often than not the hole is to small. The only time it would have been good was inOstend but I forgot to use it doh!

 

[SkipperMarv]

I have tried several of them, only one comment ................

try before you buy

/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[eastcoastbernie]

I have a MoorFast thingamagig. Only works if the thing you want to get hold of is stationary - hoop or ring on pontoon for example. If you try to use it on a buoy, the buoy moves away as you prod at it with the gadget. Also, the 'end' is prone to falling off.

Consequently spends most of its time buried in the cockpit locker.

 

[Malcb]

I've found that a Bosco boat hook works, put the whole hook through the eye of the ring, twist, pull back and leave the hook attached to the bouy.

 

[ebbtide]

I have a Plastimo snaphook on a slider at the end of a boathook - wouldn't be without it.
Mooring buoys wobbling away? Bring the line back from the bows and just lean over from the cockpit, easy peasy - the pole is unnecessary.
(Bernie, your boat is small enough to do that IMHO.)

 

[eastcoastbernie]

I expect it is, and one day I should give it a go.

However, since I always sail with at least one crew member, I don't need any more than a crew member posted on the bow with conventional boathook.

 

[gjgm]

there was a review of them in an old mag.. I ll try to look up which ones worked well... but although they look the same, I seem to recall the results were more diverse!

 

[snowleopard]

I have a type which looks like a black horseshoe with an orange bar across the opening. You jab the ring with it and it threads a light line through the ring. It's very clever and works every time but you have to be quick with securing the line because as the boat starts to drift away from the buoy all the load comes onto the flimsy plastic fitting.

I acquired a job lot of 5mm kevlar line (ex commando abseil rope I'm told) that is plenty strong enough to hold the boat while I organize a mooring bridle. It is small enough to thread easily through rings etc.

 

[PlanB]

We've got the yellow thingy too. Have only had to use it a couple of times, but then it was invaluable!

 

[PCUK]

I had a plastic thing like that. It broke the first time I tried to use it. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[alldownwind]

The fact is that no one of them works perfectly in every situation.
I have a Moorfast on board. For some situations (easiest if the ring or whatever you are trying to snare is standing up) it works, for others it doesn't.

 

[PetiteFleur]

The only problem with the stainless 'snap hook' type us that it certainly works but it leaves the nap hook on the buoy so you still have to somehow get at the buoy ring to 'unsnap' it! The other plastic type which threads a thin line through the buoy ring which is tied to a thicker securing line . This works OK.

 

[Salty John]

We use a stainless Mooringmate hook and clip on a boat hook and it works well. (We also sell it, so I declare a commercial interest).
When we leave the mooring we just lift the whole mooring buoy up to the pulpit and unclip the hook by hand. My wife usually does this (because, of course, I'm the captain and have to be at the helm!) and has no difficulty, and she's not built like a weightlifter.

 

[stevebrassett]

I have a Moorfast, which does its job very well. Unfortunately, its job is simply to lie in the locker and not get in the way. One day I will get it out and try it.

 

[paulwitney]

Don't know if they are still around but I have a device called "The Happy Hooker". Works every time but is probably about 20 years old. Made of plastic and you thread your own line into the working end. The working bit does a flip over ring or loop and threads mooring line through.
Done a "Google" and link below found it!
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=802
Don't just Google Happy Hooker unless that is what you're after!

 

[Talbot]

Another vote for the Bosco Boat Hook.

 

[paulwitney]

Back to the Happy Hooker...
It is attached to a broom handle and acts as a boat hook except that the line you thread through is drawn straight back to the deck and it then becomes your mooring line OR pulls the mooring line to you.
In our part of the world some private mooring owners remove the mooring line from their bouy to "discourage" others from using the mooring when they are not around!!!! If you can find one in GB you should try it. I assure you they work well. Beats hanging on with a boat hook while trying to thread a line through an eye and somehow get it back to rhe deck!
And I have no connection with maker, in fact my Happy Hooker came two boats ago when I found this odd looking thing in the locker after buying the boat.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I have found that the threader type only work when when the buoy is still & in any wind or waves it is almost impossible to thread the line through the hoop.The Bosco works OK & has the advantage of a release line.I now use a substantial boat hook which is brilliant to lift moorings up enough to thread a line through them.I also use the lasso method(a short piece of chain with rope attached both ends) as a temporary fix if it is blowy.The boat hook I got from www.exebuoyhook.co.uk
No association just a satisfied customer.