Best way to mount a boat hook

[OrangeCrush]

My boat hook is mounted on the side of my pilothouse with two Velcro traps. These are kind of annoying since there’s always a bit of play in the straps and it ends up loosening up while sailing. See pic.

I’d like it to be secure while in place but very user-friendly to remove, since I’m often delegating boat hook retrieval to less experienced crew. I’m wondering if there is a sort of stretchy version of Velcro that would hold it more snugly, or maybe I need big plastic clips. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

My boat hook is mounted on the side of my pilothouse with two Velcro traps. These are kind of annoying since there’s always a bit of play in the straps and it ends up loosening up while sailing. See pic.

I’d like it to be secure while in place but very user-friendly to remove, since I’m often delegating boat hook retrieval to less experienced crew. I’m wondering if there is a sort of stretchy version of Velcro that would hold it more snugly, or maybe I need big plastic clips. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Attachment 276558

Big plastic clips is what I use, 3 for the longer boathook.

[El Pinguino]

I have a 'lizard con bowline' attached to the backstay at head height.
Pointy end of boathook lives within the bowline. Blunt end is tucked in through the taffrail.

[George_SD]

Don't use a boat hook, it's stowed away in a lazarette.

[jo_sail]

I know professional skippers on really large sailboats 90ft in Netherlands with 2,5m boat hooks often stow them vertical to the shroud, similar to Peguinos photos, but upside (peak) down hooked into a loop fixed shortly above the bottom of the port shroud and the thick end goes on top through a second loop 2 m high at the shroud. You easily grab and lift the hook end from the bottom loop and the top (if really smooth, often just a rounded piece of thick wood on large boats) automatically comes free from the top loop. Available in seconds, secure even in big seas, due to the weight on the thin peak end into the loop.

[deblen]

Local lobster boats that fish in very rough winter weather just lay the gaff/boathook on the side deck-so it is always ready-and that is what I have always done. Unless you take major green water,they stay in place.
Penguino's suggestion is used also,when gaff/hook is not to be used often.
Len


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[Simi 60]

Sounds painful

[Jammer]

Several choices.


Typically I just lay them on deck and they stay more or less in their spot.


You might consider the Seachoice "Captain's Hook." I use them for retaining oars in the dinghy and spare paddles in the canoe. I replace the cord that comes with them, with bungee material, for this purpose. Unlike many alternatives they lay flat, and will not contribute to injury if someone is thrown against them:

[Jammer]

You can also get basic spring clips like these, available from various sources. I use these for holding the all-around white light in place in its stowed position on my 14' motor dinghy:

[Jammer]

You can also use ball or toggle bungees in place of the velcro. It works best if you make your own. You can use higher quality bungee material and precisely adjust the length.


Finally, Railblaza has several mounts for this purpose though they are expensive for what you get. I have several. They're OK but don't last forever and work best within a fairly narrow diameter range.

[boatman61]

I just lay mine on the upslope side of the cabintop teak grab rails with the hook snugged under and uptight through the last forward grab.. if going offshore I just use a short bungee in the middle to secure it, a couple of seconds to undo.