Anchor Buddy Opinions

[Baxter]

I am thinking of picking up an Anchor Buddy. Does anyone here have any experience using them? Pros vs Cons? Are they reliable? Work well?

I have seen a few videos on anchoring at the beach including loop anchors, and figure the Anchor buddy seems the easiest to use.

Would like to do more outings to places like Tree Island etc, but certainly don't want to get beached - also can't really swim back to the boat in February!

So what technique do you use? Any advice appreciated

 

[zurk]

i just use my regular rocna vulcan anchor with chain and use an inflatable sea eagle kayak to get to shore.
wouldnt trust a bungee cord to hold the boat lol.

 

[Baxter]

i just use my regular rocna vulcan anchor with chain and use an inflatable sea eagle kayak to get to shore.
wouldnt trust a bungee cord to hold the boat lol.

This is partially what I was wondering. A loop anchor would solve that (I don't want to have to worry about a tender - for a few reason, but one big reason is my balance is S%$T, and I would probably take a bath transferring lol).

The boat would really only be anchored for at most a few hours at any given time. There would also still be a line tied off or anchored on the beach, so if the Bungee did fail, I would not lose the boat.

I think if I was going to beach overnight etc, I would likely use a loop system, seems simple enough, but the ease of an anchor buddy, especially when I also have to deal with kids etc, is pretty appealing.

 

[zurk]

you dont have a swim platform ? i inflate kayak, tie off to the back, step and sit down on swim platform and then slide off into the kayak. sea eagle makes a very stable boat so transfer of momentum doesnt even rock it.

 

[dance a jig]

a solution would be to create a loop between shore and your anchor chain, and bring boat to shore for unloading but otherwise keep offshore. Found a video about

good luck. DAJ

 

[Fisherman Rob]

I have never heard of an Anchor Buddy failing, so not sure if that is a big risk. If you are only needing it for a few hours probably it's the simplest solution. If you were overnight camping on the beach, and don't have a tender, a clothesline anchor is a better option.

Just saw dance a jig's post above. My clotheline set-up is similar, but I don't use a buoy on a lead to the eye in the loop. Instead of the eye I have the two ends of the loop connected with a snap shackle that connects to the bow eye, which simplifies deployment. Also don't use the two posts to separate the lines, just tie to a log on the beach or have another day anchor. Never had a tangle.

 

[tannerc]

I use mine all the time, even for overnight camping in sheltered bays. I do back it up with anchor line as long as the buddy fully stretched. Incase the buddy ever broke. Then a stern line to shore. Overnights I anchor out further and use an inflatable to get back out to the boat in the mornings. Lunch breaks I just anchor close enough to pull back to shore and wade out to it.
* this is with a 18’ boat in sheltered water

 

[Baxter]

a solution would be to create a loop between shore and your anchor chain, and bring boat to shore for unloading but otherwise keep offshore. Found a video about

good luck. DAJ

Ya, I saw that video. An option I was/am considering. Just trying to get a simple, effective solution so figured I would tap into the collective knowledge here before deciding on a solution and buying the things I need

 

[Baxter]

you dont have a swim platform ? i inflate kayak, tie off to the back, step and sit down on swim platform and then slide off into the kayak. sea eagle makes a very stable boat so transfer of momentum doesnt even rock it.

I have the small platform, but still. Would struggle with doing this (I had a hip replacement a few years ago, and combined with years of hip problems I am not to flexible, so crouching down on the platform and boarding a kayak while staying dry - well - unlikely to be successful!

In the summer, no problem, could just step down the latter and get wet - but not doing that in February!

 

[Sea lyin’]

a solution would be to create a loop between shore and your anchor chain, and bring boat to shore for unloading but otherwise keep offshore. Found a video about

good luck. DAJ

This is what I do.

 

[Ryan A]

I made my own, half filled a 5 gallon pale with cement and put a eye hook in it, then attached a 50ft bungee to it. Been using it for years and never a problem. I just run a line to shore then pull the boat in when I want to leave. Super easy

 

[Baxter]

I made my own, half filled a 5 gallon pale with cement and put a eye hook in it, then attached a 50ft bungee to it. Been using it for years and never a problem. I just run a line to shore then pull the boat in when I want to leave. Super easy

Ya, same as how the anchor buddy works.

I already have two anchors, so no need with the block of cement. Picked up the Anchor Buddy today, price was not terrible, and have everything else to make this work.

I thought about a loop anchor, but by the time I buy all the bits and pieces needed to make it work, the cost would exceed that of the anchor buddy, so figured, just go with the original plan

 

[Tips Up]

I bought an anchor buddy last year and it works great for me. Generally just beaching for lunch or to pick oysters/ mussels. Keeps the boat a few feet off shore so it is not grinding on the beach. Just be sure to add appropriate chain to anchor. That was key for me.

 

[Baxter]

I bought an anchor buddy last year and it works great for me. Generally just beaching for lunch or to pick oysters/ mussels. Keeps the boat a few feet off shore so it is not grinding on the beach. Just be sure to add appropriate chain to anchor. That was key for me.

Glad to hear it is working well for you!

I have chain on my anchor so should be good. Danforth anchor (can't recall weight off hand) and 10' of ... I want to say 3/4 chain. I'd have to go check it, but something like that. Then I have a second anchor and 100' of rope to get to shore.

I have heard of people adding an extra 50' piece of rope parallel with the anchor buddy as insurance incase the buddy does happen to fail - you won't lose your anchor/chain. Based on your experience so far, do you think that would be overkill?

 

[kaelc]

Glad to hear it is working well for you!

I have chain on my anchor so should be good. Danforth anchor (can't recall weight off hand) and 10' of ... I want to say 3/4 chain. I'd have to go check it, but something like that. Then I have a second anchor and 100' of rope to get to shore.

I have heard of people adding an extra 50' piece of rope parallel with the anchor buddy as insurance incase the buddy does happen to fail - you won't lose your anchor/chain. Based on your experience so far, do you think that would be overkill?

If you were using your anchor buddy in bad weather, wind/overnight it would make sense to have a backup rope.

I'm just reviving this thread. What length of rope do people mostly use for their shore tie? I have , a very long 300-foot stern tie rope for overnight anchoring that I don't want to keep on the boat. I would love to have one long rope that can be used for tieing up at Sidney Spit and also double as a tow line. I just need to fix a bridle.

 

[sly_karma]

I have an anchor buddy to use for lunch stop or clam/oyster gathering. Works well, takes a little practice to figure out how far back to drop anchor. I use it once or twice a year so I get to learn all over again next season, lol.

 

[trophywife]

the hardware is junk on them. if you could build your own with higher quality materials, do it.. in ten years i have owned three.. uv and salt water eat them up. i may look into how or where to get better bungie materials and quality stainless connectors.

 

[kaelc]

the hardware is junk on them. if you could build your own with higher quality materials, do it.. in ten years i have owned three.. uv and salt water eat them up. i may look into how or where to get better bungie materials and quality stainless connectors.

One of the ends rusted on mine, easy replacement from trotac, other end still running good after 7-8 year. But another bungie extender I use for towing the kids on the bike is only rated for a few years.