While I’ve never carried a boathook aboard any of my boats, it’s not because I wouldn’t find one useful. Where space is limited, boathooks—even telescoping ones—are awkward to stow, so I learned to get by without one. For instance, I always approach a dock on its upwind side so I won’t drift away from it; when I can’t sail within arm’s reach to grab something from the water, I’ll make another pass; to push off a rocky beach I’ll use an oar.The Revolve Rollable Boat Hook solves the stowing problem by using a concept you’ve seen in the common measuring tape: the steel tape curves across its width to make itself rigid and yet can curl up along its length. The 6′ Revolve does the same thing with a 4″-wide strip of what its manufacturer, Rolatube, calls “bistable rollable composite.” It appears to be made of a fabric infused with black plastic. For storage, the detachable hook stows inside the rolled-up shaft and the two pieces are kept together in a mesh bag.
Photographs by the author
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That is the dumbest idea I can think of. Lots of times when you need a boat hook you need it right now!
There are indeed times when you need a boat hook quickly, but most of the time you can anticipate wanting to use it. From picking up the bag to having the Revolve ready to use takes me as little as 13 seconds. If I had a full-length 6’ boathook at the ready in my 14’ skiff, it would be in the way most of the time. I could stow it alongside the centerboard trunk, about the only place it would fit without taking up too much of the space I need while sailing, but it could take me more than 13 seconds to get it out so I could use it, especially if I had any gear on top of it or had it secured in some way to keep it from getting underfoot. The Revolve may not be for everyone, but it works well for me.
Locating the release button for the head of the boat hook where it is located would allow a “missed attempt” to depress the release and allow the removable hook to drop to the bottom of the sea. Locating the release button on the opposite side (the upper side) of the hook assembly would prevent inadvertent release when attempting to use the hook!
To get to the release button, something would have to be ½” wide to get into the recess the button is set in. I clamped a ¼” steel rod in a vice and tried to get it to press the button. The plastic is slippery and it was very difficult to get the button to stay on the rod, impossible to apply any pressure. Even if I were to get the button depressed, removing the hook requires a twist. That’s possible with two hands, one to hold the shaft and press the button, the other to twist the hook. But holding the boat hook’s handle, the slightest twist rolls the hook off the pin. It’s safe to say it would be impossible to have the hook accidentally come off.
Christopher Cunningham
It is a delight to read a positive review where the reviewer has thoroughly tested the product.
Thank you.
I watched the attached video. Pretty slick and compact. Kind of expensive.
Pretty cool hardware.
Where I boat, small-boat docks float. I find I can use an oar or paddle as a “hook” by sticking the blade under a cleat or into a gap in the structure of the floating dock. Twisting it lightly will grip enough to bring the boat alongside. I have yet to break an oar or paddle this way, but I’m careful with the expensive ones.
Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the review.
I just got mine and it is awesome, ingenious. Where I boat and live a boat hook is required by law, so it is nice to have this smart little thing aboard. If I anticipate needing it, I simply unroll and have it ready – otherwise it is stowed out of the way. It works perfectly.