Anchor Buddy

[Justin1933]

I know a lot of people here use the anchor buddy, so I am going to ask for your opinions/reviews. I have busted three of these while anchoring my boat. The rope itself has not broke, but the elastic band on the inside has.

How does everyone connect their AB to their anchor? Has this happened to anyone else? I am using a box anchor for my boat for reference.

[RLS]

I use a box anchor and have never had a problem. I have had the one I am using for at least five years.I connect the AB and a rope to the anchor. I set it up so the rope becomes tight just before the swim platform hit the shore. When ever I have to pull on the anchor I use the rope not the AB. I use the same rope to go around the side of the boat to shore. Works good.

[Justin1933]

So i get this straight. You have a second rope connected to the anchor? You must have a lot of slack on that rope, which allows the AB to stretch? I am sure I am breaking my AB when I am pulling up the anchor.

[wake_fun]

Mine broke last year after years of use. I believe it broke because of to deep of water and overstretched it.

[RLS]

So i get this straight. You have a second rope connected to the anchor? You must have a lot of slack on that rope, which allows the AB to stretch? I am sure I am breaking my AB when I am pulling up the anchor.

Ya there is slack when the AB is tight. There is also rope in the water going to the shore. We use out boat with a large group, maybe 10 boats at a time. Most use some form of this method. We have it down pretty good. Guys with right hand rotations come in from one directions and the others from the other. All have buoys.

[GoBig]

I put 6' of galvanized chain between my fluke anchor and the AB and then 2' of 1/2" braided rope with SS fittings/hook between the AB and bow eye. I set it up about 25' offshore and run a stern line to the bank with a moderate amount of slack (not taught but not all the way out). I've been using this setup for a few years without any issue (knock on wood).

[Rick]

Same as GOBIG

I use the same setup as GoBig. I never really pull it taught. I probably only extend it 60%.

[RLS]

We go to a few lakes where the wind can blow. I like the added safety of the rope to the anchor. I think I have better control of where the boat will stop when the wind blows.

[HS]

http://tuggyproducts.com/anchorbuddy.html

The above link has a diagram showing the arrangement described in the above posts.

[RIPnSIX]

All of my friends, and myself included all use anchor buddies. We run on a river, so there is constant current, and we have never had a problem, except the one time they forgot to hook the anchor buddy to the boat before they threw it..

The way we do it:

Bring the boat into the unloading spot (the dock, or the beach)

Take the ski rope or lanyard rope and secure it to the stern anchor point. Make sure there is plenty of slack

Idle the boat out about 25'

Secure the anchor buddy to the bow of the boat and Toss the anchor in the opposite direction of the unloading point slightly upstream.

Pull the boat back toward the unloading spot and secure the rope to the pylon.

Let everything sit and make sure it's holding fast..

Pull the boat back into the unloading point and go do your thing.

When we pull the anchor buddy up, we let the boat drift back over the anchor point, and pull it straight up slowly.

We will let boats sit like that all night if need be. It really works nicely. It is a boat saver when there is not dock space.