Anchor Buddy - Quite good

Bigplumbs · 27 July 2018, 06:55

Considering it costs little more than a decent Rope I bought an Anchor Buddy from Baotworld and tested it yesterday. It is an elasticated rope that allows you to drop anchor just off the beech then motor into the beech and then the Anchor Buddy pulls the boat out to the deeper water. A rope attaching the boat to the shore lets you pull it back in again to get on board.

The attached pics are with 2 ribs on it in quite a strong tidal flow

The orange rope is the Anchor Buddy

Well worth a purchase me thinks

Dennis

M.Thornton · 27 July 2018, 08:26

We use them all the time,great piece of kit for holding off

Poly · 27 July 2018, 10:25

Does it take much practice to get the right estimate of distance so you have enough stretch to reach the shore, but enough spring to get the boat back out the shallows?

chipko · 27 July 2018, 10:49

We’ve had one for a couple of seasons and as above a useful bit of kit we regularly use. Only use in moderate wind and tidal flow but seems to work well. Keeps around its 14’ compressed length in these conditions and extends to 50’ max for reaching shore.

Bigplumbs · 27 July 2018, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Does it take much practice to get the right estimate of distance so you have enough stretch to reach the shore, but enough spring to get the boat back out the shallows?

Once you have done It once you know the estimate I recon

Dennis

The Black Pig · 27 July 2018, 12:58

They seem to recommend stern anchoring, logistically this would work but maybe only on still waters, waves to stern not a good idea, I see your pics are bow anchored so this works ok?

Fender · 27 July 2018, 13:20

Seen this technique used a couple of times - unfortunately one of the times a sib went between the anchored boats and the shore - obviously unaware of the connecting line and fouled its prop - I suppose you could pop a buoy or two along the shore line to warn other water craft users?

Bigplumbs · 27 July 2018, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Pig

They seem to recommend stern anchoring, logistically this would work but maybe only on still waters, waves to stern not a good idea, I see your pics are bow anchored so this works ok?

Yes I was worried about the Prop hitting the anchor buddy line as I motored in but I kept the engine high and it seemed to work ok

Regarding the sib fouling his line I can see this could happen but then don't anchor too far out would be the answer to that one

Dennis

charliee · 27 July 2018, 14:28

Just reverse in, should save any water over the stern in case of rogue boat wake or wave.
also easier to step off the stern than the bow.

Bigplumbs · 27 July 2018, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliee

Just reverse in, should save any water over the stern in case of rogue boat wake or wave.
also easier to step off the stern than the bow.

This is at a beech. Not a good idea to put you prop at the lowest point of the water............ No Pontoons etc here

Lee argyle · 27 July 2018, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

This is at a beech. Not a good idea to put you prop at the lowest point of the water............ No Pontoons etc here

Yep, easy way to wreck your prop, bow first every time

Orwell boy · 27 July 2018, 19:22

i was well impressed with the anchor buddy ,hung in there with 2 ribs totalling over 10 metres in the outgoing tidal flow of the walton backwaters , also well impressed with the drone photography

The Black Pig · 07 August 2018, 06:47

I have bought one on the back of this thread and used it once, it’s useful I used the extra line with a grappling hook to pull the boat carefully to a rock to scramble to shore

Bigplumbs · 08 August 2018, 05:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Pig

I have bought one on the back of this thread and used it once, it’s useful I used the extra line with a grappling hook to pull the boat carefully to a rock to scramble to shore

well done I am sure you will be pleased with it

Ajsimp · 08 August 2018, 11:57

I have had one for the last few months and I use it much more than I expected! Actually very handy and without exception every other boater who has seen me use it have said they are going to order one!

Lisilou · 09 August 2018, 10:19

This sounds great. I've seen the you tube vids but would someone fancy posting their own video of it in use please? Would be good to see it being used it something other than a perfectly set up scenario.
Thanks.
Lisa