"Bryan" wrote in message
y.net...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
Picture this:
A picture-perfect day at the lake. Not a boat in sight and none
anywhere near the launch ramp. The ramp is empty, the dock is empty,
the water is empty. The sun is shining. The air is warm. Only thing
left to do is launch my boat.

Oh, one problem. While I was prepping my boat a PWC'er came to the dock
from the water and tied up on the dock near waters edge! He had 4
options that wouldn't have interfered with my solo launching plans and
he picked the one that kept me and anyone else from using the dock for a
launch.

Anyway, it forced me to perform my first water launch and solo at that.
The water launch went well. I'll be comfortable doing that from now on
when the dock isn't available.

So, the bad news: just another encounter with another knucklehead.

The good news: it caused me to learn another water skill.

Oh, and I practiced using my new anchor buddy in preparation for
teaching my wife how to use it for her upcoming boat-in camping trip
this weekend. Glad I practiced; I'll need a longer land line and I think
I'll take advantage of the suggestion to tie the anchor rode and land
line to a float for easy come easy go.

Once again, I've learned as much from this ng as I have from boating
friends; in fact, I'm finding myself more knowledgeable than most, but
less experienced/skilled.

Summer 2006: So far so good!


Glad to hear things went well with only a small bump along the way.

All you need on the stern anchor is 50 feet of line at tops as you don't
have to anchor on the beach or tie up to a tree on the
beach.........setting the anchor in the water (assuming sand or mud)
will work just fine. You also do not need a special float on either the
bow or stern anchors when anchoring near the beach. Get everyone on
board except one after running the blower for 5 minutes. Have the person
in the water lift the stern anchor and bring it to the boat, taking in
the line along the way. Let that person board the boat. Start the
engine (with someone on the bow) and slowly motor out to the bow anchor,
taking up line along the way, until you can pull it up and into the boat.

No need for anything fancy Bryan.


Your description is a little confusing to me. I'll be dropping my anchor
about 30 feet from shore (to take advantage of my stretchy anchor buddy)
and backing to the shore as close as possible. A line will go from the
boat to land and tie around a tree. The anchor buddy will pull the boat
away from shore while the land line will hold the boat as close to shore
as I choose. The shore isn't soft (lots of rocks) so I can't land the
boat. My anchor buddy comes with a tip to use a float to attach the
anchor rode and land line to when not in use making it easy to reconnect
when returning without having to drop achor run the land line each time.

Now if I had a nice soft mud or sand beach to land on I would just drive
up and land the boat and attach the bow line to a tree or something like
that.

Am I missing something?




Yes........the fact that you spent $30 on an anchor buddy (
http://tinyurl.com/kcdrh ) that is worthless.

If I remember correctly you have a 20 foot boat. Depending on where you
anchor your anchor line should consist of at least 6~8 feet of galvanized
chain attached to at least 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line (150' may be
required depending on the depths you anchor in).

Forget the 'anchor buddy' and do it right.

jim, it might be alright if you're in shallow water with a small
craft.. But I can also see the advantage of the bungee effect. like not
having to have 100,150 ft. of anchor line, and it's easier to stow.
I'm not really sure what your need is for a galvanized chain .

Really I don't see where I would have much need for the "anchor buddy"
but I think it would make a cool tow rope...


JimH wrote:
"Bryan" wrote in message
y.net...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
Picture this:
A picture-perfect day at the lake. Not a boat in sight and none
anywhere near the launch ramp. The ramp is empty, the dock is empty,
the water is empty. The sun is shining. The air is warm. Only thing
left to do is launch my boat.

Oh, one problem. While I was prepping my boat a PWC'er came to the dock
from the water and tied up on the dock near waters edge! He had 4
options that wouldn't have interfered with my solo launching plans and
he picked the one that kept me and anyone else from using the dock for a
launch.

Anyway, it forced me to perform my first water launch and solo at that.
The water launch went well. I'll be comfortable doing that from now on
when the dock isn't available.

So, the bad news: just another encounter with another knucklehead.

The good news: it caused me to learn another water skill.

Oh, and I practiced using my new anchor buddy in preparation for
teaching my wife how to use it for her upcoming boat-in camping trip
this weekend. Glad I practiced; I'll need a longer land line and I think
I'll take advantage of the suggestion to tie the anchor rode and land
line to a float for easy come easy go.

Once again, I've learned as much from this ng as I have from boating
friends; in fact, I'm finding myself more knowledgeable than most, but
less experienced/skilled.

Summer 2006: So far so good!


Glad to hear things went well with only a small bump along the way.

All you need on the stern anchor is 50 feet of line at tops as you don't
have to anchor on the beach or tie up to a tree on the
beach.........setting the anchor in the water (assuming sand or mud)
will work just fine. You also do not need a special float on either the
bow or stern anchors when anchoring near the beach. Get everyone on
board except one after running the blower for 5 minutes. Have the person
in the water lift the stern anchor and bring it to the boat, taking in
the line along the way. Let that person board the boat. Start the
engine (with someone on the bow) and slowly motor out to the bow anchor,
taking up line along the way, until you can pull it up and into the boat.

No need for anything fancy Bryan.


Your description is a little confusing to me. I'll be dropping my anchor
about 30 feet from shore (to take advantage of my stretchy anchor buddy)
and backing to the shore as close as possible. A line will go from the
boat to land and tie around a tree. The anchor buddy will pull the boat
away from shore while the land line will hold the boat as close to shore
as I choose. The shore isn't soft (lots of rocks) so I can't land the
boat. My anchor buddy comes with a tip to use a float to attach the
anchor rode and land line to when not in use making it easy to reconnect
when returning without having to drop achor run the land line each time.

Now if I had a nice soft mud or sand beach to land on I would just drive
up and land the boat and attach the bow line to a tree or something like
that.

Am I missing something?




Yes........the fact that you spent $30 on an anchor buddy (
http://tinyurl.com/kcdrh ) that is worthless.

If I remember correctly you have a 20 foot boat. Depending on where you
anchor your anchor line should consist of at least 6~8 feet of galvanized
chain attached to at least 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line (150' may be
required depending on the depths you anchor in).

Forget the 'anchor buddy' and do it right.

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
...

"Bryan" wrote in message
y.net...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
Picture this:
A picture-perfect day at the lake. Not a boat in sight and none
anywhere near the launch ramp. The ramp is empty, the dock is empty,
the water is empty. The sun is shining. The air is warm. Only
thing left to do is launch my boat.

Oh, one problem. While I was prepping my boat a PWC'er came to the
dock from the water and tied up on the dock near waters edge! He had
4 options that wouldn't have interfered with my solo launching plans
and he picked the one that kept me and anyone else from using the
dock for a launch.

Anyway, it forced me to perform my first water launch and solo at
that. The water launch went well. I'll be comfortable doing that
from now on when the dock isn't available.

So, the bad news: just another encounter with another knucklehead.

The good news: it caused me to learn another water skill.

Oh, and I practiced using my new anchor buddy in preparation for
teaching my wife how to use it for her upcoming boat-in camping trip
this weekend. Glad I practiced; I'll need a longer land line and I
think I'll take advantage of the suggestion to tie the anchor rode
and land line to a float for easy come easy go.

Once again, I've learned as much from this ng as I have from boating
friends; in fact, I'm finding myself more knowledgeable than most,
but less experienced/skilled.

Summer 2006: So far so good!


Glad to hear things went well with only a small bump along the way.

All you need on the stern anchor is 50 feet of line at tops as you
don't have to anchor on the beach or tie up to a tree on the
beach.........setting the anchor in the water (assuming sand or mud)
will work just fine. You also do not need a special float on either
the bow or stern anchors when anchoring near the beach. Get
everyone on board except one after running the blower for 5 minutes.
Have the person in the water lift the stern anchor and bring it to the
boat, taking in the line along the way. Let that person board the
boat. Start the engine (with someone on the bow) and slowly motor out
to the bow anchor, taking up line along the way, until you can pull it
up and into the boat.

No need for anything fancy Bryan.


Your description is a little confusing to me. I'll be dropping my
anchor about 30 feet from shore (to take advantage of my stretchy
anchor buddy) and backing to the shore as close as possible. A line
will go from the boat to land and tie around a tree. The anchor buddy
will pull the boat away from shore while the land line will hold the
boat as close to shore as I choose. The shore isn't soft (lots of
rocks) so I can't land the boat. My anchor buddy comes with a tip to
use a float to attach the anchor rode and land line to when not in use
making it easy to reconnect when returning without having to drop achor
run the land line each time.

Now if I had a nice soft mud or sand beach to land on I would just
drive up and land the boat and attach the bow line to a tree or
something like that.

Am I missing something?





Nope. Different conditions and I never heard of this anchor buddy
thing. If it has worked for you in your situation........great.


Tomorrow will be a real test of my wife. She has never anchored. She'll
also have to perform some precision driving and stopping in order to hook
up to my preset anchor buddy system. I'll be home in my comfortable
house while my wife and kids are roughing it and my wife is trying out
her boating skills.

I arranged a mother daughter boat in camping weekend; that's why I won't
be there after dark. Should be a hoot to see how much gear they want me
to bring in the boat for their weekend. I'll be patient and quiet and
will make no comment about the amount of stuff. I should take photos.
I'm imagining a boat that looks like the Joad family truck heading from
Oklahoma to California.




Who sold you on this 'anchor buddy' system? Do you have a website for
the it?


http://www.anchorbuddy.com/

I learned about it from this ng!

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
y.net...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
Picture this:
A picture-perfect day at the lake. Not a boat in sight and none
anywhere near the launch ramp. The ramp is empty, the dock is empty,
the water is empty. The sun is shining. The air is warm. Only thing
left to do is launch my boat.

Oh, one problem. While I was prepping my boat a PWC'er came to the
dock from the water and tied up on the dock near waters edge! He had 4
options that wouldn't have interfered with my solo launching plans and
he picked the one that kept me and anyone else from using the dock for
a launch.

Anyway, it forced me to perform my first water launch and solo at that.
The water launch went well. I'll be comfortable doing that from now on
when the dock isn't available.

So, the bad news: just another encounter with another knucklehead.

The good news: it caused me to learn another water skill.

Oh, and I practiced using my new anchor buddy in preparation for
teaching my wife how to use it for her upcoming boat-in camping trip
this weekend. Glad I practiced; I'll need a longer land line and I
think I'll take advantage of the suggestion to tie the anchor rode and
land line to a float for easy come easy go.

Once again, I've learned as much from this ng as I have from boating
friends; in fact, I'm finding myself more knowledgeable than most, but
less experienced/skilled.

Summer 2006: So far so good!


Glad to hear things went well with only a small bump along the way.

All you need on the stern anchor is 50 feet of line at tops as you don't
have to anchor on the beach or tie up to a tree on the
beach.........setting the anchor in the water (assuming sand or mud)
will work just fine. You also do not need a special float on either
the bow or stern anchors when anchoring near the beach. Get everyone
on board except one after running the blower for 5 minutes. Have the
person in the water lift the stern anchor and bring it to the boat,
taking in the line along the way. Let that person board the boat.
Start the engine (with someone on the bow) and slowly motor out to the
bow anchor, taking up line along the way, until you can pull it up and
into the boat.

No need for anything fancy Bryan.


Your description is a little confusing to me. I'll be dropping my anchor
about 30 feet from shore (to take advantage of my stretchy anchor buddy)
and backing to the shore as close as possible. A line will go from the
boat to land and tie around a tree. The anchor buddy will pull the boat
away from shore while the land line will hold the boat as close to shore
as I choose. The shore isn't soft (lots of rocks) so I can't land the
boat. My anchor buddy comes with a tip to use a float to attach the
anchor rode and land line to when not in use making it easy to reconnect
when returning without having to drop achor run the land line each time.

Now if I had a nice soft mud or sand beach to land on I would just drive
up and land the boat and attach the bow line to a tree or something like
that.

Am I missing something?




Yes........the fact that you spent $30 on an anchor buddy (
http://tinyurl.com/kcdrh ) that is worthless.

If I remember correctly you have a 20 foot boat. Depending on where you
anchor your anchor line should consist of at least 6~8 feet of galvanized
chain attached to at least 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line (150' may
be required depending on the depths you anchor in).

Forget the 'anchor buddy' and do it right.


I've got a danforth anchor for my 18 foot bowrider.
I've got 3 feet of chain.
I've got 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line.

If I only use my anchor the boat will potentially swing 360 degrees.
If I attach the Anchor Buddy to the rode end of my chain and to the rode 45
feet from the anchor, I'll have potentially 50 feet of bungee effect to keep
the boat off the rocky shore. With the land line I can tie the boat to a
tree on shore keeping it a few feet from shore. When I want the boat I just
pull on the line bringing the boat to me, step onto the boat, make my
disconnects (tieing the land line and the anchor rode to a float for later
connection) and drive off.

I don't like the $32 price tag, but I think the price of new gelcoat is more
expensive.

Are we still not on the same page? As I said, I'm pretty new to all this so
I might be missing something besides the $32.

JimH wrote:
"Bryan" wrote in message
y.net...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
Picture this:
A picture-perfect day at the lake. Not a boat in sight and none
anywhere near the launch ramp. The ramp is empty, the dock is empty,
the water is empty. The sun is shining. The air is warm. Only
thing
left to do is launch my boat.

Oh, one problem. While I was prepping my boat a PWC'er came to the
dock
from the water and tied up on the dock near waters edge! He had 4
options that wouldn't have interfered with my solo launching plans
and
he picked the one that kept me and anyone else from using the dock
for a
launch.

Anyway, it forced me to perform my first water launch and solo at
that.
The water launch went well. I'll be comfortable doing that from now
on
when the dock isn't available.

So, the bad news: just another encounter with another knucklehead.

The good news: it caused me to learn another water skill.

Oh, and I practiced using my new anchor buddy in preparation for
teaching my wife how to use it for her upcoming boat-in camping trip
this weekend. Glad I practiced; I'll need a longer land line and I
think
I'll take advantage of the suggestion to tie the anchor rode and land
line to a float for easy come easy go.

Once again, I've learned as much from this ng as I have from boating
friends; in fact, I'm finding myself more knowledgeable than most,
but
less experienced/skilled.

Summer 2006: So far so good!


Glad to hear things went well with only a small bump along the way.

All you need on the stern anchor is 50 feet of line at tops as you
don't
have to anchor on the beach or tie up to a tree on the
beach.........setting the anchor in the water (assuming sand or mud)
will work just fine. You also do not need a special float on either
the
bow or stern anchors when anchoring near the beach. Get everyone on
board except one after running the blower for 5 minutes. Have the
person
in the water lift the stern anchor and bring it to the boat, taking in
the line along the way. Let that person board the boat. Start the
engine (with someone on the bow) and slowly motor out to the bow
anchor,
taking up line along the way, until you can pull it up and into the
boat.

No need for anything fancy Bryan.


Your description is a little confusing to me. I'll be dropping my
anchor
about 30 feet from shore (to take advantage of my stretchy anchor
buddy)
and backing to the shore as close as possible. A line will go from the
boat to land and tie around a tree. The anchor buddy will pull the
boat
away from shore while the land line will hold the boat as close to
shore
as I choose. The shore isn't soft (lots of rocks) so I can't land the
boat. My anchor buddy comes with a tip to use a float to attach the
anchor rode and land line to when not in use making it easy to
reconnect
when returning without having to drop achor run the land line each
time.

Now if I had a nice soft mud or sand beach to land on I would just
drive
up and land the boat and attach the bow line to a tree or something
like
that.

Am I missing something?




Yes........the fact that you spent $30 on an anchor buddy (
http://tinyurl.com/kcdrh ) that is worthless.

If I remember correctly you have a 20 foot boat. Depending on where you
anchor your anchor line should consist of at least 6~8 feet of galvanized
chain attached to at least 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line (150' may
be
required depending on the depths you anchor in).

Forget the 'anchor buddy' and do it right.

wrote in message
oups.com...
jim, it might be alright if you're in shallow water with a small
craft.. But I can also see the advantage of the bungee effect. like not
having to have 100,150 ft. of anchor line, and it's easier to stow.
I'm not really sure what your need is for a galvanized chain .

Really I don't see where I would have much need for the "anchor buddy"
but I think it would make a cool tow rope...



T,
The anchor buddy is not a substitute for the anchor rode; in fact it would
suck trying to break away a stuck anchor while pulling on a bungee cord!

The bungee semi-replaces the first 45 feet of rode, but the rode is there if
needed (see above).

On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 02:51:07 GMT, "Bryan" wrote:


" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
...

"Bryan" wrote in message
y.net...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
Picture this:
A picture-perfect day at the lake. Not a boat in sight and none
anywhere near the launch ramp. The ramp is empty, the dock is empty,
the water is empty. The sun is shining. The air is warm. Only thing
left to do is launch my boat.

Oh, one problem. While I was prepping my boat a PWC'er came to the
dock from the water and tied up on the dock near waters edge! He had 4
options that wouldn't have interfered with my solo launching plans and
he picked the one that kept me and anyone else from using the dock for
a launch.

Anyway, it forced me to perform my first water launch and solo at that.
The water launch went well. I'll be comfortable doing that from now on
when the dock isn't available.

So, the bad news: just another encounter with another knucklehead.

The good news: it caused me to learn another water skill.

Oh, and I practiced using my new anchor buddy in preparation for
teaching my wife how to use it for her upcoming boat-in camping trip
this weekend. Glad I practiced; I'll need a longer land line and I
think I'll take advantage of the suggestion to tie the anchor rode and
land line to a float for easy come easy go.

Once again, I've learned as much from this ng as I have from boating
friends; in fact, I'm finding myself more knowledgeable than most, but
less experienced/skilled.

Summer 2006: So far so good!


Glad to hear things went well with only a small bump along the way.

All you need on the stern anchor is 50 feet of line at tops as you don't
have to anchor on the beach or tie up to a tree on the
beach.........setting the anchor in the water (assuming sand or mud)
will work just fine. You also do not need a special float on either
the bow or stern anchors when anchoring near the beach. Get everyone
on board except one after running the blower for 5 minutes. Have the
person in the water lift the stern anchor and bring it to the boat,
taking in the line along the way. Let that person board the boat.
Start the engine (with someone on the bow) and slowly motor out to the
bow anchor, taking up line along the way, until you can pull it up and
into the boat.

No need for anything fancy Bryan.


Your description is a little confusing to me. I'll be dropping my anchor
about 30 feet from shore (to take advantage of my stretchy anchor buddy)
and backing to the shore as close as possible. A line will go from the
boat to land and tie around a tree. The anchor buddy will pull the boat
away from shore while the land line will hold the boat as close to shore
as I choose. The shore isn't soft (lots of rocks) so I can't land the
boat. My anchor buddy comes with a tip to use a float to attach the
anchor rode and land line to when not in use making it easy to reconnect
when returning without having to drop achor run the land line each time.

Now if I had a nice soft mud or sand beach to land on I would just drive
up and land the boat and attach the bow line to a tree or something like
that.

Am I missing something?




Yes........the fact that you spent $30 on an anchor buddy (
http://tinyurl.com/kcdrh ) that is worthless.

If I remember correctly you have a 20 foot boat. Depending on where you
anchor your anchor line should consist of at least 6~8 feet of galvanized
chain attached to at least 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line (150' may
be required depending on the depths you anchor in).

Forget the 'anchor buddy' and do it right.


I've got a danforth anchor for my 18 foot bowrider.
I've got 3 feet of chain.
I've got 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line.

If I only use my anchor the boat will potentially swing 360 degrees.
If I attach the Anchor Buddy to the rode end of my chain and to the rode 45
feet from the anchor, I'll have potentially 50 feet of bungee effect to keep
the boat off the rocky shore. With the land line I can tie the boat to a
tree on shore keeping it a few feet from shore. When I want the boat I just
pull on the line bringing the boat to me, step onto the boat, make my
disconnects (tieing the land line and the anchor rode to a float for later
connection) and drive off.

I don't like the $32 price tag, but I think the price of new gelcoat is more
expensive.

Are we still not on the same page? As I said, I'm pretty new to all this so
I might be missing something besides the $32.


The anchor buddy system is not something I'd use in the Chesapeake Bay, but
I can see where it would be handy in a calm, shallow lake. It would seem as
though a strong wind will have your boat beating against the rocks on the
shore. Without the chain, what's to keep your anchor at the appropriate
angle to the bottom? Any tug on the boat will tend to pull the anchor up,
not along, the bottom.

It looks like a convenient system, useful for only the mildest of
conditions, while under the watchful eye of the boat owner. I wouldn't go
to sleep and leave my boat anchored thusly, regardless of the weather
forecast.
--
******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

John

The anchor buddy system is not something I'd use in the Chesapeake Bay,
but
I can see where it would be handy in a calm, shallow lake. It would seem
as
though a strong wind will have your boat beating against the rocks on the
shore. Without the chain, what's to keep your anchor at the appropriate
angle to the bottom? Any tug on the boat will tend to pull the anchor up,
not along, the bottom.

It looks like a convenient system, useful for only the mildest of
conditions, while under the watchful eye of the boat owner. I wouldn't go
to sleep and leave my boat anchored thusly, regardless of the weather
forecast.


One needs to realize that the "Anchor Buddy" is nothing more than a
component of a ground tackle system of any configuration. It doesn't
necessarily have to be the entire rode. What it brings to the table is its
spring action, which simply allows the boat to be easily hauled toward shore
using a line from the boat to shore, for those who camp ashore and prefer to
anchor off shore rather than beach the boat. Theoretically, one could drop
an anchor 200' off shore using 20' of chain, 150' of nylon line and then the
Anchor Buddy as the last component of the rode. A bit extreme, but it
illustrates my point. I don't own one, and have no use for it because I
never camp ashore, but I can envision the application.

"Bryan" wrote in message
y.net...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
y.net...

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
. ..

"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
Picture this:
A picture-perfect day at the lake. Not a boat in sight and none
anywhere near the launch ramp. The ramp is empty, the dock is empty,
the water is empty. The sun is shining. The air is warm. Only thing
left to do is launch my boat.

Oh, one problem. While I was prepping my boat a PWC'er came to the
dock from the water and tied up on the dock near waters edge! He had
4 options that wouldn't have interfered with my solo launching plans
and he picked the one that kept me and anyone else from using the dock
for a launch.

Anyway, it forced me to perform my first water launch and solo at
that. The water launch went well. I'll be comfortable doing that from
now on when the dock isn't available.

So, the bad news: just another encounter with another knucklehead.

The good news: it caused me to learn another water skill.

Oh, and I practiced using my new anchor buddy in preparation for
teaching my wife how to use it for her upcoming boat-in camping trip
this weekend. Glad I practiced; I'll need a longer land line and I
think I'll take advantage of the suggestion to tie the anchor rode and
land line to a float for easy come easy go.

Once again, I've learned as much from this ng as I have from boating
friends; in fact, I'm finding myself more knowledgeable than most, but
less experienced/skilled.

Summer 2006: So far so good!


Glad to hear things went well with only a small bump along the way.

All you need on the stern anchor is 50 feet of line at tops as you
don't have to anchor on the beach or tie up to a tree on the
beach.........setting the anchor in the water (assuming sand or mud)
will work just fine. You also do not need a special float on either
the bow or stern anchors when anchoring near the beach. Get everyone
on board except one after running the blower for 5 minutes. Have the
person in the water lift the stern anchor and bring it to the boat,
taking in the line along the way. Let that person board the boat.
Start the engine (with someone on the bow) and slowly motor out to the
bow anchor, taking up line along the way, until you can pull it up and
into the boat.

No need for anything fancy Bryan.


Your description is a little confusing to me. I'll be dropping my
anchor about 30 feet from shore (to take advantage of my stretchy anchor
buddy) and backing to the shore as close as possible. A line will go
from the boat to land and tie around a tree. The anchor buddy will pull
the boat away from shore while the land line will hold the boat as close
to shore as I choose. The shore isn't soft (lots of rocks) so I can't
land the boat. My anchor buddy comes with a tip to use a float to
attach the anchor rode and land line to when not in use making it easy
to reconnect when returning without having to drop achor run the land
line each time.

Now if I had a nice soft mud or sand beach to land on I would just drive
up and land the boat and attach the bow line to a tree or something like
that.

Am I missing something?




Yes........the fact that you spent $30 on an anchor buddy (
http://tinyurl.com/kcdrh ) that is worthless.

If I remember correctly you have a 20 foot boat. Depending on where you
anchor your anchor line should consist of at least 6~8 feet of galvanized
chain attached to at least 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line (150' may
be required depending on the depths you anchor in).

Forget the 'anchor buddy' and do it right.


I've got a danforth anchor for my 18 foot bowrider.
I've got 3 feet of chain.
I've got 100 feet of 3/8" 3 strand nylon line.

If I only use my anchor the boat will potentially swing 360 degrees.
If I attach the Anchor Buddy to the rode end of my chain and to the rode
45 feet from the anchor, I'll have potentially 50 feet of bungee effect to
keep the boat off the rocky shore. With the land line I can tie the boat
to a tree on shore keeping it a few feet from shore. When I want the boat
I just pull on the line bringing the boat to me, step onto the boat, make
my disconnects (tieing the land line and the anchor rode to a float for
later connection) and drive off.

I don't like the $32 price tag, but I think the price of new gelcoat is
more expensive.

Are we still not on the same page? As I said, I'm pretty new to all this
so I might be missing something besides the $32.


If it is just a daytime anchor at the beach we usually throw out 30 feet of
bow line and attach a stern anchor. In our case we have no need for the
'anchor buddy' bungee device.

Your mileage may vary.

"JohnH" wrote in message
...


The anchor buddy system is not something I'd use in the Chesapeake Bay,
but
I can see where it would be handy in a calm, shallow lake. It would seem
as
though a strong wind will have your boat beating against the rocks on the
shore. Without the chain, what's to keep your anchor at the appropriate
angle to the bottom? Any tug on the boat will tend to pull the anchor up,
not along, the bottom.

It looks like a convenient system, useful for only the mildest of
conditions, while under the watchful eye of the boat owner. I wouldn't go
to sleep and leave my boat anchored thusly, regardless of the weather
forecast.
--
******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

John

I would not use the Anchor Buddy in any but the mildest conditions and would
not use it in the ocean. It is a tool for lake use only as far as I'm
concerned and not for any place with tidal flow or wave action.

It's purpose is to give one the option of keeping the boat off the shore
while allowing easy, dry, retrieval of the boat.

Jim's tried and true system keeps the boat as close to shore as desired, but
doesn't allow for dry retrieval if I understand correctly; although his
description for me suggests that he brings the boat close enough to just get
your ankles wet. Problem with my lake is the original canyon shape before
being filled with water. One step off dry land and your up to your ears in
water.

I'm surprised at all the skeptical interest in the system since this ng is
where I learned about the device.
It will go well. The shore is rocky so I can't ground the boat. The lake
is calm in the no wake zone and there is no tidal flow or wave action.

I'll let you all know on Sunday how it goes. It will be a weekend of
experiments and firsts for us.

On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 14:50:57 GMT, "Bryan" wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .


The anchor buddy system is not something I'd use in the Chesapeake Bay,
but
I can see where it would be handy in a calm, shallow lake. It would seem
as
though a strong wind will have your boat beating against the rocks on the
shore. Without the chain, what's to keep your anchor at the appropriate
angle to the bottom? Any tug on the boat will tend to pull the anchor up,
not along, the bottom.

It looks like a convenient system, useful for only the mildest of
conditions, while under the watchful eye of the boat owner. I wouldn't go
to sleep and leave my boat anchored thusly, regardless of the weather
forecast.
--
******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

John

I would not use the Anchor Buddy in any but the mildest conditions and would
not use it in the ocean. It is a tool for lake use only as far as I'm
concerned and not for any place with tidal flow or wave action.

It's purpose is to give one the option of keeping the boat off the shore
while allowing easy, dry, retrieval of the boat.

Jim's tried and true system keeps the boat as close to shore as desired, but
doesn't allow for dry retrieval if I understand correctly; although his
description for me suggests that he brings the boat close enough to just get
your ankles wet. Problem with my lake is the original canyon shape before
being filled with water. One step off dry land and your up to your ears in
water.

I'm surprised at all the skeptical interest in the system since this ng is
where I learned about the device.
It will go well. The shore is rocky so I can't ground the boat. The lake
is calm in the no wake zone and there is no tidal flow or wave action.

I'll let you all know on Sunday how it goes. It will be a weekend of
experiments and firsts for us.


Good luck!
--
******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

John