CHRIS MCBETH
Well-Known Member
The anchor buddy by itself is reliable because the bungee on the inside is encapsulate by a very strong nylon wrapper that stretches from about 14' to 50'.
As Gem stated, you also should cut a regular anchor line 50' long and attach it at both ends with the bungee. That way the bungee absorbs all the shock and allows you to move your boat by pulling or releasing a shoreline, and with the parallel anchor line it adds that extra layer of protection if the bungee were to fail.
What I've found is if you use it with big wakes coming in or a storm with wind, it actually makes your boat SAFER because the bungee is absorbing the shock and energy with graceful give and take.
A traditional anchor line doesn't give at all, and the energy of a wave or gust of wind hits hard, instantly, and gives your anchor a huge pull... and brakes it loose more often than not.
The trick is to have two of them
I use one off the bow, one off the stern and in a huge wind or area where large wakes are coming in, turn the bow into the wind or wakes so the v-hull is pointing straight at it.
That further dissipates the energy.
I've slept on our boat a few times hooked up like this and never felt unsafe.
And the best part is once you get your anchor buddy set up, every time you leave your spot, just hook a buoy to it and it's right there correctly placed when you get back. It also provides a way of politely letting others know that's your spot for the day (if there isn't obvious camping stuff laying around).
As Gem stated, you also should cut a regular anchor line 50' long and attach it at both ends with the bungee. That way the bungee absorbs all the shock and allows you to move your boat by pulling or releasing a shoreline, and with the parallel anchor line it adds that extra layer of protection if the bungee were to fail.
What I've found is if you use it with big wakes coming in or a storm with wind, it actually makes your boat SAFER because the bungee is absorbing the shock and energy with graceful give and take.
A traditional anchor line doesn't give at all, and the energy of a wave or gust of wind hits hard, instantly, and gives your anchor a huge pull... and brakes it loose more often than not.
The trick is to have two of them
I use one off the bow, one off the stern and in a huge wind or area where large wakes are coming in, turn the bow into the wind or wakes so the v-hull is pointing straight at it.
That further dissipates the energy.
I've slept on our boat a few times hooked up like this and never felt unsafe.
And the best part is once you get your anchor buddy set up, every time you leave your spot, just hook a buoy to it and it's right there correctly placed when you get back. It also provides a way of politely letting others know that's your spot for the day (if there isn't obvious camping stuff laying around).
