Docking Grappling Hook Thingy...

djodenda · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

I am looking for a docking - grappling - hook thingy that I saw being used last summer.

It's about a foot long, and has an unusual bent shape. The folks that were using it tossed it on the dock and pulled on it so that it snagged on a cleat. They then ran the line to an amidships cleat on the boat and brought the boat nicely to a halt, using it as a spring line.

I asked them about it and inspected the hook. As I remember, it was vinyl coated, had some other type of padding, and was a commercial product.

I thought it was a great idea, and would like one of my own. Foolishly, I did not write down the brand name of the device, assuming it would be easy to find on the web. I have had no luck.

I imagine I could make one, but it was obviously a carefully engineered shape, and worked real well.

Has anyone seen one of these, and if so, do you know how I might get one?

If you've tried one, what do you think?

I appreciate your help!

Thanks,

David

P.S. This is my first new thread! I figure I was about due!

BreakingWind2 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.dockhooker.com/dockhooker/index.html

djodenda · #3 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakingWind2

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.dockhooker.com/dockhooker/index.html

Thanks.. That's really close, and very similar, and probably works well... But the one I saw was a slightly different shape, and vinyl coated, which I liked better...

Any others?

Thanks again!

Faster · #4 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by djodenda

Thanks.. That's really close, and very similar, and probably works well... But the one I saw was a slightly different shape, and vinyl coated, which I liked better...

Any others?

Thanks again!

You could always apply a couple of layers of heat-shrink tubing over a metal hook.....

djodenda · #5 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faster

You could always apply a couple of layers of heat-shrink tubing over a metal hook.....

Yeah.. I thought about that... I'd probably just dip it in that vinyl coating stuff.. I remember that back in the 1970s there was some green plastic stuff called "Whip End Dip" that was used for stopping the ends of natural rope from fraying.

(I preferred back splices and was pretty good at it)

Thanks, Faster, and I hope to see you up north this summer!

David

kms · #6 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008

This is what you are looking for.

E Z Docker

www.e-zdocker.com They are in La Conner

kms

Valiente · #7 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008

Hell, I can make something like that in about 15 minutes. Thanks for the idea!

bubb2 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008

I just can't help but think how popular your going to be when that thing you throw bounces twice on the dock and hits the side of the boat in next slip.