A boathook is handy to have on board any boat, but the smaller the boat is, the more awkward it can be to store. We like to have a boathook with a telescoping pole. Over the years we found that the twist-style mechanism on telescoping poles could become hard to operate due to corrosion, or the pole could collapse in on itself while pushing off a dock, especially if it was inadvertently twisted in a way that allowed it to retract. When we recently found that the Eversprout telescoping boathook has flip-tab locks, we gladly added one to our collection.

The 1 1⁄2-lb pole is 5′ long when retracted and 12′ long fully extended (Eversprout offers lengths of 1 1⁄2′ to 5′, 6′ to 18′, and 7′ to 24′). It has three sections made from anodized aluminum, which holds up well in the marine environment, and each section is friction-locked in place by a sturdy plastic flip-tab. We quickly came to prefer the flip-tab over the twist-lock of other telescoping poles, especially when our hands are cold, wet, and slippery. The flip-tab friction locks work well, even with gloved hands, and are a great option for folks with compromised dexterity or grip strength. Each section of the pole is keyed along its length to prevent rotation, which ensures proper control and orientation of the hook. We can pull as hard as we want with the pole, and while Skipper cannot push hard enough to get the pole to overcome the lock friction, I can slowly compress the pole using around 50 lbs of force, which is much more than I apply when pushing away from a dock. We have had no issues with the friction lock slipping in normal use.

Photographs by the authors

The Eversprout boathook is locked into position with flip-tab friction locks, making it reliably stable when extended. The non-marking nylon hook can be replaced with other accessories such as deck brushes, sponges, or mops.

The 12′ pole has two EVA foam grips, which provide a secure, balanced handhold even when the pole is fully extended. The grips are 5″ wide; one grip is at the base of the pole and the other is spaced 2′ up from the base. The closed-cell EVA is waterproof, and the manufacturer states that the pole will float for two minutes—presumably the time it would take before water getting inside the pole would make it sink. We dropped the pole in the water to test the claim, and it was floating just fine even after 10 minutes. Afterward there was very little water inside the pole, whether the pole was retracted or extended.

Fully extended, the 5′ Eversprout is 12′ long and, in experiments, the authors found that its friction tabs would withstand pressure up to approximately 50 lbs and only then compressed slowly. The locks held up against all pulling efforts.

The pole has a galvanized tip with Acme threads that accept the boathook as well as a variety of attachments including a soft-bristle deck brush and household cleaning implements. The hook is 7 1⁄2″ long and made of nylon so it will not mar boat surfaces or corrode. It tightens down sufficiently on the pole threads to prevent rotation and adds 6″ to the length of the pole. The hook has three rounded tips and can be used to snag a line or push off a dock.

The Eversprout Telescoping Pole with boathook has been a welcome addition to our boating kit, and we have been very pleased with its overall design, quality, and utility.

Audrey (Skipper) and Kent Lewis mess about in the Tidewater Region of Virginia when not restoring or building boats. Their adventures are logged at Small Boat Restoration.

The 5′ to 12′ Telescoping Pole with boathook is available directly from Eversprout and from the Eversprout Amazon store for $30.39.

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