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FAQ - Frequently Asked QuestionsHow does an Anchor Buddy anchor weight work? Try lifting your fishing rod and reel by the tip end instead of by the handle. It is not easy! An anchor weight works on the same principle. Tests have proven that it takes a horizontal force of 147lb to lift a 30lb weight off the seabed, when a vessel is anchored with a scope of 5 to 1. When the Anchor Buddy anchor weight is in place just off the seabed, the vessel tugging on the anchor warp or chain must overcome and lift the weight, before exerting any significant pulling force on the anchor. The angle of pull is almost horizontal, assisting the anchor to dig in even more effectively. The Royal Navy did tests on anchors and what causes them to drag, and they found; "When the shank is pulled above horizontal, the efficiency of the anchor is greatly reduced. If the angle of pull is 10 degrees off the seabed, the anchor's maximum holding power is down to 60%. At 15 degrees, it is further reduced to only 40% of its maximum holding power". (Information sourced from Admiralty Manual of Seamanship. Vol. 2) I have 3/8 all chain for anchoring, why would I need an Anchor Buddy anchor weight? Chain is heavy - in a heap, a bag or in a bucket, but spread over the seabed, it lifts easily, especially in water. As the Anchor Buddy anchor weight is a 30lb concentrated weight, it is far more effective than letting our more chain. The forces on the vessel have to overcome and lift it, before exerting any significant pressure on the anchor. So it almost doubles the holding power. The weight creates more chain drag across the seabed, reducing the swinging circle of your vessel considerably. This is especially good in crowded anchorages where swinging room is limited, or when you are caught on a lee shore. The weight of this extra chain also affects your boat's performance. What would be the difference in simply adding the equivalent weight of additional chain to the rode system? As we said, the Anchor Buddy is a concentrated weight, rather than a similar weight spread out across the sea bed. By adding more chain, this increases the swinging circle of the vessel. Earl Hinz in his book "The Complete Book on Anchoring and Mooring" says that the wind creates yawing and swaying, the waves create pitching and heaving, and the anchor restraint is involved with surging. These actions all raise the anchor shank and give every reason for a skipper to question the integrity of the anchoring system and worry about dragging (see above). Surging of the boat sometimes as much as doubles the loads felt from the wind drag alone. A vessel snubs when her bow lifts to a sea and the chain is pulled taut with a jerk. If the Anchor Buddy is set just off the seabed at low tide, it acts like a spring or shock absorber to dampen these sudden jerks, rather than have them transmitted to the ground tackle. My catamaran swings wildly and sails around at anchor, will it help that? Amazingly! As the Anchor Buddy anchor weight acts like a spring or shock absorber, all the actions on the vessel at anchor are minimised. This is especially noticed on high windage vessels. An added advantage is that the rope rode or chain is almost vertical to the bow, with the Anchor Buddy anchor weight on. Prevents other boat's keels, rudders, or propellers getting caught if they come too close to your bow. I have an extra heavy anchor and 30 metres of chain on my 30ft boat. Why do I need one? The extra weight of extra chain in the bow, affects the performance of your vessel considerably. The Anchor Buddy anchor weight is easy to stow in the anchor locker for use when it starts to blow. Most skippers use it every time the wind is above 18 knots. I have shackled on my dive belt when it blows. Will an Anchor Buddy anchor weight be more effective? Same principle! But an Anchor Buddy is so much quicker to put on, or take off, if you have to move the boat in a hurry. All of our research has shown that the most effective weight to almost double the holding power of vessels 30 to 60 plus feet, is 30lb, so it will be more effective if it is heavier. More importantly, your dive belt will be damaged by being on the sea bed and it has to be shackled on to your rope rode or chain, causing wear and tear. I have used two anchors at times, how much easier is using an Anchor Buddy anchor weight? Two anchors take time to set and there is a high possibility that the rodes will twist as the wind goes round. It is also difficult to justify risking your second anchor as a weight, in case of further difficulties. If you have tried the Anchor Buddy anchor weight in light winds, it is possible to put it on, or take it off, in just 30 seconds. It is a very simple twist-on procedure to attach or detach it. NO SPANNERS OR SHACKLES required! If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. |
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