I con't like messing around with boat hooks. You're always changing the length, it always gives you trouble, you're spending time lubing it and there are times when you kedge off of something and it just starts to collapse and at the wrong moment.

I've found that if you just extend it to a good length to do what you want, drill holes and either put pop rivets in or screws it's a better boathook. Better to put up with the lack of storage than messing with it all the time. After I drilled holes and made it about 9' I drilled a hole in the handle end and put a large loop in it so I don't drop it. I ended up putting ours on the backstay in a 2" PVC pipe a bit like a 'man overboard pole' and it's ready to grab.

It's better now.