Setting anchor with anchor buddy?

[waternutt]

How do you set your anchor when it is attached with an anchor buddy? Just lower it in and let it do it’s job?

I don’t have one yet, but was curious because due to the stretch I figured out can’t really tug on it or back down on it.

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

I just bought one, but haven't used it yet. But it does have a maximum stretch limit. I presumed you can simply pull until it reaches that limit which will then set it. I've pulled it to its maximum in my yard. It definitely seems to behave correctly.

 

[waternutt]

That is what I figured, but what if you don't have room to stretch to the limit? Will the anchor set with just the tension of the bungee action? Either way I am still a little leery of pulling on an anchor with a big bungee, but lots of folks have used them and seem to like them so I will give it try.

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

Wouldn't you just keep pulling until it's taught? You don't need room to do this. You should still be able to remove all slack pretty easily and be able to set the anchor. Keep in mind, I also wouldn't trust a bungee for long periods of time. That's why they recommend you put the bungee in parallel to the actual anchor rope. If it fails, you still have the rope.

 

[Gym]

I use the large anchor buddy all the time in the ocean with no issues. I connect the anchor buddy directly to the anchor. To deploy it I simply toss it off the bow and pull it back a few feet to set the anchor. All this is done by hand with engines off. Then I pull the boat back to set my shore spike. If the anchor buddy ever failed I'm still anchored to shore via the shore spike.

 

[Ronnie]

I've used them for years without issue, even overnight in sustained winds. Sometimes I'm the only camper that leaves my boat on the water overnight. Other boaters must think I'm a rookie, until the next morning when they are re-launching their boats while I'm boating.

I just toss the anchor, let it hit bottom and take in the anchor buddy length until I feel comfortable, let a few feet out to allow for some give and tie off the rest to one of the bow cleats. They are awesome but I think the the anchor used will have a big impact on whether the experiences with the anchor buddy are good or bad. Paired with a good anchor it's a nice combo.

 

[sysinu]

I think I'm the odd man in the group that doesn't trust the anchor buddy. I have a double loop shackle knotted 25' up from the chain on my anchor (12' of chain) and then I attach the anchor buddy to that shackle and the anchor. So the anchor buddy can never stretch fully but at least I get some stretch. Then if it breaks for some reason I still have my primary anchor line.