Sailboat Accessory Hooks

Boats are always challenged by limited storage space. Many production boats share two common features: they have lockers that are either bottomless or wet at the bottom, and those lockers contained broken storage hooks installed by the previous owner. Over the years weve been on the lookout for storage hooks that wont fail and reconsidered the places where they can best meet our needs.

Self-adhesive hooks from the local hardware store have their place in the galley, where they can hold a small trash bag, bottle opener, or washcloth. They stick reasonably well to gelcoat and when they do fail, the residual smudge can be wiped off with mineral spirits.

But on-deck or in a locker they inevitably break. Theyre meant to hold a few ounces, not a coil of rope plus a sailor falling against it. Although few locker and deck hooks need to hold high loads or truly heavy objects, we feel they all should be able to pass the step-on and lean-against tests without difficulty.

Finally, there is the challenge of mounting. Drilling holes is traumatic. Unlike in a house, where a dab of spackle and a swipe of paint will hide a mistake, boat scars are harder to hide.

More than likely, these holes will be there, staring at you forever. Often bulkheads are cored fiberglass, with only thin skins to hold threads. The other side of the bulkhead may be exposed, or even worse, the ocean. Epoxy or other adhesives wont work; the bases are too small and most molded plastics are difficult to bond. Every attempt I have seen has failed.

And so we collected a handful of utility hooks from the local chandleries, plus a few DIY versions, and set about learning which were strong and how we could mount them to a variety of surfaces.

What We Tested

The handy utility hooks from Schaefer, Ronstan, and a few homemade variations were put through their paces over the course of several days. We also looked at clips from Ronstan and Davis Instruments, intended to hold round items, such as boat hooks, tiller extensions, and fire extinguishers.

How We Tested

Strength was tested by screwing the hooks to a pine board and leaning on them up to 200 pounds. We also walked on them. We don’t expect these hooks to take rigging loads, but they should survive some knocks. Weve also been using most of them on boats for years.

Observations

We attached the hooks and clips to a pine 2-by-4, using wood screws long enough to penetrate 3/8- to -inch and of the maximum allowable diameter. Although longer screws are recommended, none loosened or appeared to strain. Through-bolts, if you can use them, are better.

If you are attaching hooks to a cored bulkhead with thin skins you can either bond a piece wood or fiberglass and attach to that, or mount to a removable bar as described in the adjacent article, Glue-On Studs Create Removable Storage.

The Schaefer Handi-hook and Ronstan Utilities Hooks are handy for small lines on deck where you can get two hands on them, but we find them tricky to manipulate with only one hand, which is often the case in lockers.

The 1/8-inch x -inch aluminum DIY hooks excel at their intended purpose; storing docklines and other spare rope in lockers. The lack of an integral sling means that ropes must first be secured with an individual sling, which is then dropped into the opening on the hook.

This is also their chief merit; they can be slipped into a locker below deck level with one hand in seconds, they remain secure and organized, and are fast to retrieve. By using slings of variable length, coils can be stored at staggered depths, further increasing locker capacity. The recurve bend eliminates snagging on clothing, sails, sail bags, and ropes, and keeps the sling secure even in violent conditions.

We liked the Ronstan Tiller Clip for securing our boat hook to the deck, but an errant knee could knock the hook loose if installed on a vertical surface. On our previous boat the hooks were securely lashed inside a pair of heavy aluminum C-channel brackets.

Scheafer Handi-Hanger

The long 3/16-inch polyester cord sling holds coils up to 7 inches in diameter. The ball-in-slot catch is easy to shorten and quick to use even with gloves.

Bottom Line: Recommended for large lines.

Ronstan Utility Hanger

Weve have these on every boat weve ever owned. The plastic has never failed, but the bungee generally goes within a few years if heavily used, after which we replace it with polyester cord, which wears better. Sold in a 2-pack.

Bottom Line: Well-proven for smaller lines.

Ronstan Deck Fairlead

Similar to the Handi-hanger, these are strong, simple, and large enough to hold 3/8-inch line. The only down side is the lack of a retaining sling. Bottom line: were going to try these out next time we need a compact hook.

Thin DIY aluminum hooks

Weve been using these 1/8-inch x -inch, hooks in a sail locker for over a decade, often step ping or sitting on the rope coils, as we dug for sails. The rounded corners and recurve bend makes them quite resistant to snagging sail bags and strings, which was the original motivation for the design. We also like that we can drop a sling on them with one hand, while reaching deep in a locker. We were surprised when they bent at 200 pounds, but they have proven strong enough in longterm use.

Bottom Line: We consider these easy-to make hooks to be our Budget Buy solution. We liked them enough to install them on our next boat.

Thick DIY Aluminum Hooks

Lacking an inward recurve bend, these 3/16-inch x 3/4-inch hooks were used for shore power cords and PFDs. They are much stronger than the 1/8-thick DIY hooks, but they snag on everything.

Bottom Line: Overkill and we really don’t like the shape.

Ronstan Lacing hook

Molded from nylon, these hooks began to bend at 45 pounds, but did not break. They are very lightweight, a key ingredient of any multihull gear.

Bottom Line: Suitable for light-duty applications, such as holding lazyjacks line out of the way.

Seadog Hammock Hook

Weve used these hooks for hanging mini-hammocks, restraining lazyjack lines, and lacing canvas. We didnt test them for strength, but experience tells us they will last as long as the boat.

Bottom Line: Affordable and readily available online or at local chandleries, these hooks are Recommended.

Ronstan tiller clips

These hooks perfectly fit our Davis Instruments boat hook, which we like to keep on deck. For more than a year it has withstood the weather, snags, and the occasional foot without complaint, and the boat hook has remained secure.

Bottom line. Recommended.

Davis quick fist

The Quick Fist comes in two sizes, together a diameter range from 7/8-inch to 7 -inch. The rubber hooks wont suddenly fail, but they will begin to sag if you exceed the load limit. Soft neoprene construction makes them painless to run into and hard to snap off, even if they stick out. Excess length can be trimmed with a sharp knife.

Bottom Line: We see several possible uses for these handy grabbers.

Conclusions

We were pleasantly surprised that all of the marine hooks met our expectations for strength and ruggedness. The long cord on the Schaefer Handi-Hook was our pick for big line bundles.

Our DIY hook was tops for hanging docklines in lockers. The Davis Instruments Quick Fist clamps fill a niche that neither the cords nor hooks fill. Despite the wide range of options here, we still see room for innovation.

Hooks Come in All Types and Sizes

Our testers looked at a variety of different hooks suited for different tasks. The majority of them were made of plastic, which is vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. However, we’ve used many of these hooks for several years, and none have yet failed due solely to UV exposure or weathering. Of course, some are stronger than others.

1. The small 540 QuickFist safely secured this oversized boathooks.
2. The Ronstan tiller clip snaps the tiller into place, although it isn’t meant for carrying heavy loads.
3. The Sea Dog hammock hooks is a robust hook that is good for securing gear hammocks or lee cloths.
4. The Ronstan utility hanger uses a cord and hood to secure lines, electrical cords, what have you.
5. The Ronstan deck fairlead can serve a range of purposes, and be fitted with a small cord. The rope hook (right) is a little lighter construction.
6. The Schaffer Handi-hook comes in surface mount (left) and rail mount hook (right). The cord can be adjusted to fit large and small coils of rope or shorepower cords.

Hook Strength Test