Anchor Buddy is an accessory that makes anchoring safe. When the wind rises, the boat pulls on its anchorage, which stretches until only a tense line remains between the anchor and itself. It is in this case that the anchor tends to slip. If the anchor is well anchored at the bottom, there is less risk.
A weight that descends along the anchorage
Anchor Buddy is a weight that we descend along the chain. Held slightly above the bottom, it acts as a damper on the dampening. It thus limits the strong tractions which end up stretching the anchorage and making the anchor unhook. With Anchor Buddy, the chain always pulls horizontally on the anchor which then remains in the best position to hang on the bottom.
A product adaptable according to the boat
At its creation (it is a product that comes from New Zealand) the Anchor Buddy had solid body made of alloy. It existed in 2 sizes with 2 different weights (8 and 13 kg). To accommodate more boats, the new version is now built of dense polyester composite on exactly the same mould as the original. But it is hollow and each user can weight it at will according to the characteristics of his boat (size, weight, dunnage...).
Anchor Buddy is best ballasted with shot. Thus loaded to the maximum, it will weigh 15.5 kg. But this weight is not useful on a small light boat for example. 9 kg is considered a sufficient weight for vessels less than 9 m, 13 kg up to 12 m and 15 kg above and up to 18 m maximum.
Simple implementation
Setting up the Anchor Buddy is simple. When the anchor is in place, you install your Anchor Buddy over it by simply turning a quarter turn above the chain or cable. Then the Anchor Buddy is allowed to spin along the anchorage to a depth of about 50 cm. Thus installed, it will play the role of spring on the anchorage.
When mooring, the Anchor Buddy is put away before going up the chain.
The Anchor Buddy can be used on chain up to 13 mm or cable up to 40 mm.
The Anchor Buddy is available in the catalogue of Southern Navy Cross at the price of 216 € empty (250 € loaded at 8 kg, 275 € loaded at 12 kg, 290 € loaded at 14 kg and 300 € loaded at 15,5 kg). This new model thus makes it possible to modulate the price, and to make it more accessible for small boats...
