Mooring Pickup Stick

[mcrow33]

Hey all,

I removed my mooring pickup stick from my mooring yesterday since my boat has been pulled for the winter. I noticed that I have been getting slivers from the fiberglass rod. I'm not sure how old it is since I came with the boat when I bought it. Does anybody know a treatment to use to stop getting slivers, or is it just time to replace it. I was wondering if a light sanding and coating it with something would be useful.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[bria46]

I would try 3M heat shrink tubing. Many electronics stores carry the tubing in 3 or 4 foot lengths. Just select the correct diameter.

 

[Ron20324]

Apply a new gel coat. You can get a 2-part brush-on in a can.

 

[Benny17441]

How much is a new one? Come on guys the economy needs help.

 

[NYSail]

Have someone else pick up the stick.............

 

[Alan]

Mine is longer and stronger than a standard pickup stick. I made it from one of those fiberglass rods that are used to keep smaller power boats off the dock. Replacement is just not an option I'm willing to take. I wrapped mine with a spiral binding of waterproof tape to prevent the splinters. I do like the idea of shrink wrap tubing and may switch to that if and when the tape fails.
I prefer the longer pickup stick because when I go forward to retrieve it I don't need to bend over to reach it, it stands tall enough that I can reach it standing erect.

 

[mcrow33]

I do like the have someone else pick it up idea, and that is what I do when someone is with me. I'm not sure why the wife hasn't complained. Doesn't shrink tube just come in black? How does that work for you at night or low light conditions? As for replacing it, I think a 8 footer is about $60. I'm just too cheep to buy something new when I can fix the old one and get a few more years. Plus what else is there to do and talk about while I wait for the next 6 months to go by.

Mike

 

[Merlin Clark]

Coating with epoxy resin and painting will work.

 

[Maine Sail]

My aluminum boat hook has never given me a splinter...

Hamilton Marine sells non-splintering pick up sticks.. http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/bro...deluxe-orange-poly-coated-163136/4,16625.html

 

[Stu Jackson]

Wear gloves. I do when I pick up the anchor, keeps all sports of things off my hands.

 

[Allan12210]

I used to heat shrink my Loran antenna but the stuff only lasts about two seasons in the sun before it cracks off. It did come in white...I've also seen blue and red in addition to black.

How about coating it with Liquid Rope Whip or Dip-it? They are a liquid vinyl coating like on pliers' handles. The stuff for lines is white while the tool handle coating is in various colors. A couple of coats with that would be nice and thick and rubbery. Easy to pick up.

 

[Steve Dion]

Just wrap it with Atomic Tape.

http://www.atomictape.com/pdf/instructions.pdf

This is great on things like sink drains and other applications that can come loose too.

 

[garyg]

Consider using the white split plastic tubing used to cover S.S. standing rigging.

 

[Rick486]

Mine is longer and stronger than a standard pickup stick. I made it from one of those fiberglass rods that are used to keep smaller power boats off the dock. Replacement is just not an option I'm willing to take. I wrapped mine with a spiral binding of waterproof tape to prevent the splinters. I do like the idea of shrink wrap tubing and may switch to that if and when the tape fails.
I prefer the longer pickup stick because when I go forward to retrieve it I don't need to bend over to reach it, it stands tall enough that I can reach it standing erect.

Mine used to be longer and stronger also, but as it gets older, not so much.:cry:

 

[Prime Time]

This happens just after a season or two.
Go cheap with duct tape and gloves for the hands.

 

[Dalliance]

I would just brush paint it with a coat or two of white rustoleum.

 

[CalebD]

Painting is a good idea.
A few years ago I took our pick up stick, sanded it lightly with fine grit paper and put a few coats of clear exterior polyurathane on it. It has lasted well for about 3-4 years but I need to re-coat the stick this winter.
Epoxy coating is a good idea too but costs a good bit for materials in marine epoxy.
Wear gloves. Definitely get someone else to pick up the stick but do it with pride when it is your turn.

 

[Perew]

Uh Oh.

What is a "pick up stick"?

Yep, I'm new to this big boat stuff.

Pere

 

[mcrow33]

A Pick Up Stick is a small float with a tall fiberglass rod. It is connected to your mooring lines, so you can pick up your mooring line from the deck of boat.

Mike

 

[BobM]

Thanks for the link

My aluminum boat hook has never given me a splinter...

Hamilton Marine sells non-splintering pick up sticks.. http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/bro...deluxe-orange-poly-coated-163136/4,16625.html

I bought a 6 footer...I swear my mooring service guy eats them. Perhaps having one that doesn't resemble everyone else's he sells will mean mine won't disappear again.

My friend went to move his 2007 39 footer out to his mooring for the hurricane. He is required by our club to keep a mooring to move to in storms. He couldn't find it. The mooring guy sold it....said he thought Chris had abandoned it...year right..."I'll get you a new one"....yeah...right after the hurricane...

Only game in town though...