I've been exploring replacement options and I think I found a solution. I was in West Marine picking up a part when I searched out the telescoping boat hooks. They don't work (IMO) for two reasons: 1) the smaller diameter tube is closest to the crossbar connection and 2) the size of that tube is smaller than the diameter of the connector needed.
I then wandered over to the paddles and they have a telescoping paddle that I think will work. It looks similar to this one, but I'm not sure if it is it:
https://www.westmarine.co…hook--386195?recordNum=2
The one on West Marine's website is listed for $39.99. I thought the one in store was $29.99, but that could just me being focused on the thought that it was thirty bucks.
Note that the connector I'm talking about using is this:
https://www.murrays.com/product/01-0064/
Here's the rub: The telescoping paddle has an OD of 1 1/4" and an ID of 1 1/8". I'm not sure of the diameter of the connector, but I suspect its somewhere around 7/8". I'm thinking I'll get either a piece of PVC or scrap aluminum (the bent up extension?) and sleeve the connector. I'll place that into the paddle and drill a hole through to rivet the connector in place.
One benefit of the in-store paddle is that the paddle end is not permanently connected to the shaft. It uses the spring loaded "ball in the hole" system to hold it in place. I think that the idea is that you would remove the paddle and insert a boat hook interchangeably. One nice feature is that the ball is several inches above where you would drill the hole. The result is that you could potentially just put the paddle portion on the boat and if you need it, remove the tiller extension, assemble the paddle and off you go (steering through the crossbar).
The primary downside I see to this proof of concept is that it is aluminum and as MN3 pointed out, us Floridians want to avoid aluminum due to lightning.
Dana
Edited by dartsailors on Sep 16, 2018 - 01:17 PM.
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Dana, Holly, Emma & Hannah
LJ/Stu's Dart 18 (Sold! :( )
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