Need help anchoring!

Falco · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject:

Anchor Buddy - interesting.

Some retailers claim one of its benefits is to be able to "anchor straight down". This is lunacy. Anchoring "straight down" is a good way to drift off into the night.

As a (temporary) shore landing tool, yes, as a stand alone anchoring tool, no.

The 4,000 max capacity (presumably working load and not breaking strength) is pretty close to a 22' C-Dory's operating weight.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject:

Falco-

To my knowledge, in practice the Anchor Buddy is used mostly in freshwater lakes for day use and for overnight camping, often with someone aboard.

You won't find Dusty spending the night on the hook in Deception Pass with the device!

Joe.

Falco · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject:

C-WEED · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:32 pm Post subject:

Falco, Jeff/Julie, as per the instructions the anchor buddy line is used in tandem with the regular anchor line. For simplicity we use it with a 20# river anchor. We move about to different swimming areas and find it much easier and faster to drop the river anchor off the stern and then walk the loose line end up to the bow cleat. We only use the bow anchor for overnight stays in currents or tidal areas. The anchor buddy is fine for overnighting on lakes.

One end of the anchor buddy is attatched to the anchor along side the regular anchor line. the anchor buddy line is then stretched to about max. You then tie a loop knot in the original anchor line. The anchor buddy comes with a snap link that goes in the loop. This loop acts as a limiter and a safety. When the anchor buddy stretches to max length the original anchor rope then draws tight to carry the load preventing the anchor buddy from snapping. If your anchor buddy was to break the original anchor rope would still hold the boat once the slack line went tight. The anchor buddy basically just pulls up slack towards the anchor. If you have the swim platform the anchor buddy will allow you to step from platform to beach in most instances. We have two swimming dogs so we anchor often. This thing really works great and saves the hull from the beach.

Inside the protective nylon sheath is just a loooong peice of rubber surgical tubing just like on a sling-shot. It isn't that large of diameter. The only question is how long will that rubber hold up? Mine shows some cracks after two years. If I can find the tubing I think I will try to thread two strands inside for added strength.

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:24 pm Post subject:

Chris,

Thanks for your post. When we did this last summer we used it just like you said. We anchored out and then used the anchor buddy to pull our boat into shore and then "sling shot" it back out while we were on the beach picnicking. It worked really well.

Julie

lloyds · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:55 am Post subject:

We have an anchor buddy and used it several times last summer on the west coast of vancouver island. We anchored off beaches, sometimes pointing into the wind and it worked fine. I actually think they at times act just like the rubber snubber you would use trout or tuna fishing, and help to keep the anchor from shifting. I wouldn't be afraid to use it overnight, as long as I felt like I got a good set on the anchor.