Scubapro Reef Hook

Product Information

So now we know what reefing is: shortening sail to depower the boat and lower the center of gravity of the boat to make it more comfortable for the crew. When should we reef? Once the reef hook is securely anchored, attach yourself to it by clipping your safety line or another attachment point to the hook. Be sure to use a strong and secure attachment point, and avoid putting too much weight on the hook or pulling too hard on the reef. 4-Observe the environment We hope that this helps. Please feel free to send us some pictures of the boat in it’s entirety, the boom, and also the cabin top area from the mast, aft. Zooming out is always preferred. On bigger boats like the Endeavour, a reefed main means a lower center of gravity in addition to reduced sail area. Practice Your Hooking: Let’s just say you don’t want the first time you try to use a reef hook to be in a ripping five-knot current at 100 feet. It may seem silly, but try first taking your hook out and playing with it on a dive with zero current: You won’t be able to feel the sensation of hooking in and riding the current, but you can get accustomed to the length of the line, attaching, and putting away the reef hook. Then, give it a shot in moderate current.

By lowering the center of gravity and depowering the boat, we had less force aloft pitching the boat side to side and fore and aft. Using a reef hook is relatively simple, but there are a few things to remember to ensure you use it effectively and responsibly. Here are the basic steps for using a reef hook: 1-Find a suitable locationEach reef point on the main sail should have its own hook; it is advisable to rig each hook with a tight lashing or to protect it with neoprene to prevent impact on the boom. The Karver Reef Hook is available in various sizes, with options available with 1T – 40T SWL (Safe Working Load). In addition, sailors that have sailed with the Karver Reef Hook have stated that its simplicity and high performance make it an efficient reefing system with provides complete satisfaction out at sea, never letting a reef drop out.

Know what reef systems your boat may have. Jiffy reefing systems, when they work, can be a great asset, but if they are rigged wrong, as they almost alway are, they can be a nightmare. A reef hook is a metal hook designed to be anchored to the reef, allowing divers to attach themselves to a fixed point and remain stationary in strong currents. They are typically made of stainless steel and come in various sizes, depending on the reef's size and the current's strength. Reef hooks are not intended to be used as a permanent fixture on the reef and should only be used for short periods to allow divers to observe the surrounding environment without causing damage. Why use a reef hook? Reef hooks are destroying the reef. It's possible, but not if you hook properly. Find a dead spot. I've always managed to find one there. Use Short Strobe Arms: If the current is significant enough where hooking in makes the most sense, then you probably want to consider using shorter-than-normal strobe arms. Longer arms may flail about in the current and will be difficult to maneuver. Plus, as discussed below, you won’t always be able to get super close to your subjects, so using more natural light and less strobe light comes into play. If you typically use 12-inch arms, consider switching to 8-inch arms. That’s where a reef hook comes in. Instead of using your hands to grab onto something in strong current, the reef hook does all the work. When used correctly, this nifty tool can make unmanageable conditions workable for the underwater photographer, resulting in stunning images of current-ridden environments.

How To Reef

Currents: The ultimate double-edged sword of underwater photography. They often bring nutrient-rich waters and a plethora of life such as schooling fish, sharks, and bright coral. But they can also make it pretty difficult to dive in, let alone operate a bulky underwater camera.

Before using a reef hook, ensure you have good buoyancy control and can maintain a stable position in the water without putting too much weight on the reef. When you lower your main and reef your sail, you are changing the application of force on the mast. Safety First: If you’re using a reef hook on a dive, it’s probably not for beginners. Diving in current is no easy task—even when you’ve hooked in. The hook can dislodge and separate you from the group. Powerful currents have even been known to flood or remove a diver’s mask. You can’t always predict what will happen, so make sure to put your safety above taking awesome images. Weight saving on the boom - The remote command lines used to activate or release the hook can be smaller in diameter as they only need to operate the hook. As a result, say goodbye to big, high load reefing lines and high load jammers. Strong currents are the life-force of vibrant reefs systems and they are at their strongest around the edges and at their most manageable in the center.Reef hooks vary in size from 4 to 12 inches in length. The line also can vary in length, from just a couple of feet to several body lengths. Some reef hooks have a line on a reel or are just a sturdy long rope. (More below on choosing the right reef hook.)