Wanted: EZ Docker Hook

[Sea Gull]

Looking for one of these. Were made in LaConner, WA. Great for snagging bull rails.

 

[Tarantelle]

Did you ever find one? I’m looking for one too. My boat is moored in LaConner where these were made and I’m now on the only dock in the marina with bull rails.

 

[NWSeadog]

If all else fails you can make one out of copper tubing and fittings. That is what I did.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

The hook was invented in Seattle. You could buy them at the boat show for about $55.

As the inventor started to get on with life, the company was sold to an individual in Portland. He charged $175, then went out of business a few years ago. Good luck. I was wanting to get an extra one too.

 

[Sea Gull]

Did you ever find one? I’m looking for one too. My boat is moored in LaConner where these were made and I’m now on the only dock in the marina with bull rails.

2 people said they had one for sale or knew of one but so far no replies when I responded. I I hear back from both I'll let you know

 

[Tarantelle]

I found a solution that works for me. I was at Lowe’s and saw a hook used to hang hoses or electrical cords on one of those fancy modular wall units. It had an attachment gizmo used to attach the hook to the wall unit that was spot welded to the hook. I used my Dremel to cut that part off and had the perfect hook to use on the steel bullrails at my slip for only $16. See attached photos.

 

[Sea Gull]

Looking for one of these. Were made in LaConner, WA. Great for snagging bull rails.
View attachment 154092

Well, shoot, my faith in the honesty of boaters has been shaken and I feel embarrassed to be taken in so easily. Larrygrandx (who is no longer on trawler forum) said he had a friend selling the one. So I contacted him, sent the $ and he said he didn't get it, but he did according to the bank.
I'd still like to find one, but it will need to be local so we can meet face to face. Sad, just sad.

 

[dhays]

Well, shoot, my faith in the honesty of boaters has been shaken and I feel embarrassed to be taken in so easily. Larrygrandx (who is no longer on trawler forum) said he had a friend selling the one. So I contacted him, sent the $ and he said he didn't get it, but he did according to the bank.
I'd still like to find one, but it will need to be local so we can meet face to face. Sad, just sad.

I am really sorry this happened. I have been fortunate. I have made a number of purchases from folks in different forums (primarily car and watch forums) and have yet to run into any problems. So don't beat yourself up about it.

FWIW, I have one that I inherited from my Dad but am not interested in selling it. I don't use it often at all, but it can be very useful.

 

[Dewey]

hello, I’m working my way through R&D to replicate these hooks. Currently forst two in the weld shop. More information in the coming weeks on my progress.

 

[NoRain]

How interesting, I never heard of these things and just a few days ago ran across a thread in Facebook….and now here.

If you’re thinking of making a few for sale, I’d sure buy one.

 

[BruceK]

Well, shoot, my faith in the honesty of boaters has been shaken and I feel embarrassed to be taken in so easily. Larrygrandx (who is no longer on trawler forum) said he had a friend selling the one. So I contacted him, sent the $ and he said he didn't get it, but he did according to the bank.

Sorry that happened. It`s a good Forum, but....
I sometimes wonder about posts from just joined members to a "For Sale" thread "Is this boat still for sale?" Can be genuine and innocent. or the start of something else. Thus the Site warnings.

 

[Dewey]

How interesting, I never heard of these things and just a few days ago ran across a thread in Facebook….and now here.

If you’re thinking of making a few for sale, I’d sure buy one.

I’ll see how development goes….so far good. Next challenge will be price, the design has five welded pieces of stainless requiring argon or ? gas shielding both inside and flooded inside the tubing. A bit fussy to get these right including strong enough to be able to spring from

 

[NoRain]

I’m not a metal guy, but would it be possible to simply use heavy wall stainless tube/pipe and bend?

 

[Dewey]

Much too acute of angles…

 

[NWSeadog]

If you have done any soldering on copper plumbing a piece of 1" copper tubing, a 90 degree and two 45 degree elbows and you have a docker hook.

 

[Dewey]

A few things….stainless wins in strength and corrosion, welding wins over soldering, fittings impede sliding and applying covers, angles on the originals are not 45° and 90° nor are they copper with soldered fittings. Anything may work I suppose but the love of originals speak loudly to me.

 

[Dewey]

Turns out there were two sizes. Working on coatings next, not simple

 

[HeadedToTexas]

Having no personal experience with a Dock Hooker, I have to ask about its use. Do you toss it at the dock like a grappling hook hoping to snag something and then use it to pull the boat to the dock?

If so, I don't see hooks assembled from copper pipe fittings having enough structural integrity to pull much more than a small boat or dinghy to the dock. What am I missing?

 

[SeaDogAK]

Having no personal experience with a Dock Hooker, I have to ask about its use. Do you toss it at the dock like a grappling hook hoping to snag something and then use it to pull the boat to the dock?

If so, I don't see hooks assembled from copper pipe fittings having enough structural integrity to pull much more than a small boat or dinghy to the dock. What am I missing?

This is what I’ve been wondering reading this thread. Why would you go to all this trouble to make something out of soldered copper pipe when you can buy what seems like a better hook made from stainless steel for $7.99?

Amazon grappling hook

 

[DDW]

Do people use the Dock Hooker for permanent (or even overnight) moorage? I'd have thought it was something to assist with the landing, replaced by a real dockline once the engine is shut down. Also wonder how important the exact shape is. It looks like a pretty easy fabrication job to me, bent from thick wall tubing. And since the line goes through it, you wouldn't have all the sharp edges inside.

 

[mvweebles]

I had one for years. I used to do docking demos at TrawlerFests. The docks at Poulsbo (WA) has bullrails (example attached) which are a total PITA for landing because there are. No cleats to quickly snub a line. The hooker was magic - just toss it anywhere on the dock and it will engage the bullrail. Or toss it over the entire catwalk and it will grab the other edge of the dock. A grapple would work but the single hook on the hooker with its heavy coating was a perfect tool. Because it's so stout, you can use it as a spring which puts a lot of pressure on the hook - it really needs to be well built (welded SS, not copper pipe). The builder gave me one to demo which I used for years and sold here on TF a couple years ago as it's really helpful in the PNW with bullrails.

At the time it was a pretty expensive gizmo - over $125 if I remember. Now I would think total cost would be close to $300. But I gotta tell you. It worked.

Peter

 

[Dewey]

Do people use the Dock Hooker for permanent (or even overnight) moorage? I'd have thought it was something to assist with the landing, replaced by a real dockline once the engine is shut down. Also wonder how important the exact shape is. It looks like a pretty easy fabrication job to me, bent from thick wall tubing. And since the line goes through it, you wouldn't have all the sharp edges inside.

The angles are too acute to bend without kinking the tubing…tried that

 

[DDW]

Hence the specification "thick walled tubing". What is the diameter of the tube?

 

[Dewey]

I had one for years. I used to do docking demos at TrawlerFests. The docks at Poulsbo (WA) has bullrails (example attached) which are a total PITA for landing because there are. No cleats to quickly snub a line. The hooker was magic - just toss it anywhere on the dock and it will engage the bullrail. Or toss it over the entire catwalk and it will grab the other edge of the dock. A grapple would work but the single hook on the hooker with its heavy coating was a perfect tool. Because it's so stout, you can use it as a spring which puts a lot of pressure on the hook - it really needs to be well built (welded SS, not copper pipe). The builder gave me one to demo which I used for years and sold here on TF a couple years ago as it's really helpful in the PNW with bullrails.

At the time it was a pretty expensive gizmo - over $125 if I remember. Now I would think total cost would be close to $300. But I gotta tell you. It worked.

Peter

They apparently were two sizes. I have two working tubing sections in each size. These are heavy wall stainless and IMO very capable. I have traced out the smaller hook and have a loaner larger one so geometry is dead on.

I’m experimenting with rope termination methods….been through a few and not satisfied with yet with results. I’ve seen a mini eye with a solid inside block on the smaller hook and a “fattened knob” on the larger one. If anyone has photos more examples could help.

Also working on the cover It’s definitely a tough product and appears dipped. The Plasti Dip products look inadequate. I have another trial product coming and may source air-dry liquid PVC. Need to visit with the local powder coated to pick their brains.

 

[Dewey]

Hence the specification "thick walled tubing". What is the diameter of the tube?

1” OD

 

[Dewey]

The angles are too acute to bend without kinking the tubing…tried that

 

[Dewey]

Having no personal experience with a Dock Hooker, I have to ask about its use. Do you toss it at the dock like a grappling hook hoping to snag something and then use it to pull the boat to the dock?

If so, I don't see hooks assembled from copper pipe fittings having enough structural integrity to pull much more than a small boat or dinghy to the dock. What am I missing?

Definitely a lot of potential stress…heavy wall stainless

 

[mvweebles]

They apparently were two sizes. I have two working tubing sections in each size. These are heavy wall stainless and IMO very capable. I have traced out the smaller hook and have a loaner larger one so geometry is dead on.

I’m experimenting with rope termination methods….been through a few and not satisfied with yet with results. I’ve seen a mini eye with a solid inside block on the smaller hook and a “fattened knob” on the larger one. If anyone has photos more examples could help.

Also working on the cover It’s definitely a tough product and appears dipped. The Plasti Dip products look inadequate. I have another trial product coming and may source air-dry liquid PVC. Need to visit with the local powder coated to pick their brains.

Yes, the original had two sizes. I had the larger one. Dockline was pretty big (3/4"??) and the hook was indeed heavy. Unfortunately, I have no idea how the end was terminated - there was no 'knob' at the end of the hook where the line was stopped. I always wondered how it was secured given the forces when springing a large boat.

The covering was probably dipped. It was a thick rubberized cover with a coarse textured. It was designed to avoid damaging stuff if it hit something like another boat hull.

I don't think there is much of a market outside the PNW. But in the PNW, it's a great device. I wish you well in reinvigorating the concept.

Peter

 

[Dewey]

Yes, the original had two sizes. I had the larger one. Dockline was pretty big (3/4"??) and the hook was indeed heavy. Unfortunately, I have no idea how the end was terminated - there was no 'knob' at the end of the hook where the line was stopped. I always wondered how it was secured given the forces when springing a large boat.

The covering was probably dipped. It was a thick rubberized cover with a coarse textured. It was designed to avoid damaging stuff if it hit something like another boat hull.

I don't think there is much of a market outside the PNW. But in the PNW, it's a great device. I wish you well in reinvigorating the concept.

Peter

5/8” line for sure. The smaller hooks had an eye. The one I have may have had an eye originally?

 

[SteveK]

we have one of these

PIOSRTRR Grappling Hook with Rope-Includes Nylon Rope 6/8/10mm 50FT,Large Grapple Hook(Heavy Duty)​

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