Boat hooks are available in a wide variety of designs and materials. The basic requirements for the construction are stability, easy handling and solidly manufactured fittings such as the tip of the boat hook and the handles. If the hook is made of aluminium, the material should definitely be seawater-resistant. Especially aluminium boat hooks with telescope function tend to seize under the influence of salt water if they are not moved regularly and washed with salt water.
Boat hooks made of stainless steel are naturally heavier, but also much more resilient and unbreakable. That is why special lock hooks and buoy hooks are mainly made of high-quality stainless steel. Picking up the buoy from a high-banked boat can require considerable force in windy conditions, and a sturdy buoy hook will make the manoeuvre more successful. For attaching a line to a ring, jetty cleat or buoy eye, boat hooks with a line insertion device are the ideal equipment. Boat hooks made of wood, mainly teak, usually have a stainless steel or brass tip. The length of the hook depends essentially on the type of boat, for smaller and shallower boats a shorter boat hook is sufficient, on a larger yacht with a high freeboard, for example, a longer boat hook is needed to reach the waterline or the jetty. Telescopic boat hooks are a practical alternative, as they are also easier to store in on-board lockers. However, it is important to bear in mind that the longer the boat hook is extended, the more unstable it becomes.
A wide range of accessories is available for boat hooks from brand manufacturers. For example, a attachment with a snap hook can be mounted on almost every boat hook, which can be closed via a line. With the right boathook holder, the hook is always securely fastened, but still immediately within reach. A boat hook holder for attachment to a shroud wire is the best choice on a sailing boat. The hook of any length stands firmly in a foot with a base, is secured to the shroud with rings and cannot fall out even in a swell. With screwed-on boathook clips, the hook can be stowed on deck, ready for use.
