If you find mooring against high walls or picking up tricky loops stressful, the Buoycatcher Boat Crook might change everything
Buoycatcher Boat Crook Review: Is This The Ultimate Mooring Tool?
When I tested the new Buoycatcher Boat Crook I wondered if it would be much better than the Buoycatcher Max, which I’ve been using since I tested it last year, for threading a warp through a mooring buoy ring.
Both share certain similarities, being beautifully made mostly in stainless steel not plastic. I tried the Crook for mooring several different boats.
First aboard the Trusty T21 while mooring against a quay wall. This boat has no bow thruster, and the prop wash usually takes the boat away from the wall. For this reason, I used the Crook with the Buoycatcher long pole that extends to 3.3m.
The Crook shown next to a conventional boat hook. The curve of the Crook allows it to pick up buoy. Credit: Gilbert Park
The wall had chains running down and the Buoycatcher Boat Crook was able to get behind the chain and even into the link – neither of which you can do with a conventional boat hook.
The next experience was on my Seaward 29, where I had the Buoycatcher short pole (extends to 1.8m) with the Crook. I use a short pole because I only moor from the cockpit.
I did drop a fender into the water and was able to put the Crook easily through the fender’s rope eye to pick it up. Again, something you can’t do with a conventional boat hook.
The final trial was on a friend’s large motorboat when we hooked the pick-up buoy on a mooring. The curve in the Buoycatcher Boat Crook is specifically made to hold the buoy securely while you bring it on board.
Cradling a pick-up buoy to bring on board. Credit: Gilbert Park
It works and my friend immediately decided to buy one, because it made mooring so much easier.
The only downside of the Crook is that the screw attachment needs to be tight, otherwise it turns around on the pole. Using the rubber washer secures it well.
I now keep the Buoycatcher Max on standby in case I need to pick up a buoy with no pick up line, just a metal loop. The rest of the time, the Crook is left ready for use on a pole. My standard boat hooks now live in a locker. I can recommend the Buoycatcher Boat Crook and will be buying more to keep.
Contact: Buoycatcher.com