Build a Better Boat Hook?

[dLj]

I have no idea. I've never thought to use something like that for sailing. Probably the smallest one that would hold my weight when scaling castle walls.

-Will

Great find Will. As far as size, I like the small size for size, and the large size for load. Here's what the add says:

Durable Performance- Rust resistant, strong load bearing, S size can hold 88lb, M size 132lb and L size 276lb. Will perform better with paracord or auxiliary rope. NOT FOR SUPPORTING HUMAN.

88lb is pretty light, 276 is much better. I've used grappling hooks for many years sailing. the shape of these is not idea, but the price is amazing. For sailing where you may be throwing onto another boat, onto docks, into a dingy, the points are not desirable. A grappling hook for climbing, tree work etc., is quite different from one used in boats - at least in my experience. You don't actually want them to just garb anything, and you certainly don't want them to cause damage to things you throw them into/onto. You also want them to be able to be released from where you are throwing. That's not such an easy design feature.

dj

 

[Will Gilmore]

You also want them to be able to be released from where you are throwing. That's not such an easy design feature.

I bought a spool of 300 lb test fishing line, when I brought Dragonfly home, to use as the anchor trip line. A light string to hold the trip line to the throw line would make retrieval pretty easy, most of the time.

-Will

 

[DArcy]

I've used grappling hooks for many years sailing. the shape of these is not idea, but the price is amazing.

I must admit, in all my years sailing, I have never considered using a grappling hook on a boat. What do you use them for?

 

[dLj]

I must admit, in all my years sailing, I have never considered using a grappling hook on a boat. What do you use them for?

In a nutshell - anything you can't reach with a boat hook. Or if you need notably greater force than what you can achieve with a boat hook- of course, only for pulling. Also they can work well for retrieving lines in the water you can't see. I've also used them to pass a larger line to another boat, but that was because I had one. That would also work with a throwing ball which I now have but didn't at that time....

You do have to learn how to use them. And the ones @Will Gilmore pointed to are not designed correctly for boat use. The hooks need a more closed curve, you don't want points (you don't want to dig in at all - only hook things) and the shank needs to be designed so that you can "flip" the grapple off of things to loosen it. The eye where you attach a line is too large. The shank should be smooth, not with steps like these. Four hooks are better than three, in my experience. A good boat grapple (I learned about them in the Basque region and they were called Chamartas) has a very different design than the ones shown here.

It's just like any other tool, really, you have to learn how to use it and when and where it's more applicable to be used.

dj

 

[jssailem]

I add this to my kit bag 2 years ago when I started to land at docks in Canada where they use "Bull Rails".

Easy to store and very effective. Watch your fingers.

 

[dLj]

I add this to my kit bag 2 years ago when I started to land at docks in Canada where they use "Bull Rails".

View attachment 204805

Easy to store and very effective. Watch your fingers.

Very good tool for the application you mention. But I'd not want to throw this one into another boat, or my dingy, and for someone to catch it, might be very tough on hands...

dj

 

[jviss]

I bought all three sizes of the one on Amazon, since it's Prime and free returns - I'll send back the two I don't prefer. Stay tuned.