Self- adjusting anchor buoy

I hate using a tripping line buoy, but if I know that there is a history of moorings etc in an anchorage, I do occasionally use one. Since I know the depth, and the tidal range, it is easy to connect the buoy to the anchor with an appropriate length of line. So basically, I don't see the point of spending a lot of money on something entirely unnecessary. Sorry if that doesn't help.
 
In a crowded anchorage it would be useful for others to know where your hook is, likewise anchoring off a town wall. Mind you, some damned fool would pick it up, thinking it was a mooring buoy. I do like the idea that the line recoils itself, a lot less faff than a line and fender.
 
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I have never found anchor markers to be useful but occasionally create extra problems. Other boats are more likely to motor over it than take note of the position of your anchor. If you just need a triping line better to run the line (that is a bit longer than your maximum depth) back along and make it fast to the rode so you find the end when the rode is up and down.

Colin. Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
sailbleu said:
Hello all ,

I was wondering if anyone here uses a self- adjusting/retractable anchor buoy like the type in the link below ?

http://www.swi-tec.us/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=30

Would he or she be so kind as to fill me in on a few questions I have about the use of this buoy ?

Thanks
Regards
Click to expand...


Wow. $365 for a football on some string that's going to cause you a load of heart ache when some numpty runs over it and tangles to their prop - I'll pass.
 
A friend bought one of those and I made my own.
The first one my friend had filled with water and sank but the replacement was ok.
I made mine from a small fender a couple of blocks and a heavy weight (large bow shackle). In my case the buoy line worked in the 10-30 foot range.
It's very interesting to see exactly where your anchor is, often way astern!
However if there's an appreciable tide running the line does tend to wrap itself around the anchor chain...in both my homemade one and my friends one.
 
The price would put me off to begin with, would the mechanism last long in the marine environment? I use a white pick up buoy with a large black anchor symbol on either side and have extra line made up to extend the length for greater depths. Three times I have had need of it recently because of fouling so I use it all the time now and it does let other boats know where your hook is.
 
I have one of these. I've used it for the past three seasons - we anchor about 50 times a season and pretty much always use this.Its dead easy to reply and retrieve. I've had absolutely no problems with it - just rinse with fresh water at end of season. What I find useful it knowing where the anchor actually is compared to just guessing.
 
Hello Guys , wow , I was off for a few days as i did not expect so many input , thanks.
I'm aware of the advantages and disadvantages of deploying an anchor buoy.
But last year my chain broke during a gale , I was fortunate to be in between some boats so I had an orientating where to look for the anchor . Whilst diving for it I was able to track it down and retrieve it .
It's a (DIY) 316 L SS Rocna of about 30 kg , you must understand that losing an anchor like this will make you feel very unhappy , this being an understatement.
I decided then and there to play it safe in the future and sofar I've used a small yellow buoy with a much too long trip line.

Anyway let me fill you in on the rest of the story.
In the past I've noticed the Switec anchor buoy several times , be it on boats or floating .
It also hard not to notice the price tag . The buoy and cradle will get you a nice new anchor.
Next to switec there are several competitors in this branch ;
http://theanchorbuoy.com/
http://www.fender-design.com/fd/AnchorRoll/anchorroll_en.html

The reason for me inquiring about the Switec , is the science behind it.
As the lower part of this buoy has a slot to guide the trip line , the flat rope that is , there must be water getting inside the buoy . My question is to what extend . If you check the official site there is an x-ray vision of the buoy showing that the mechanisme , spring and winded flat rope , must partially be submerged. I would like to know how much.

You see , Switec has a strong trip line , you want that in case of a stuck anchor . But they don't have a build-in nocturnal light nor do they have a solarpanel to feed an internal battery.
The automated anchorbuoy has all those goodies , but the trip line (???) is a snare , electrically driven by all means.
That is asking for trouble , be it shortcircuit or a battery that dies on you . Try getting a replacement wherever you are .
Also the snare isn't man enough to retrieve an anchor.
The anchorroll is a cheap sollution and looks moer like a toy rather than a piece of equipment.

To make a long story short , I'm in the mids of making my own self adjusting anchor buoy and would like to combine all the interesting features like , spring driven retractibility , automatic (night) led warning light , solar panel , and not to forget a mansize trip line.
Simultaniously I'm working on two projects , one will be a cube shaped buoy , and the other a bit like the Switec concept.
Well there you have it , I'm aware of the mixed feelings amongst boaters towards these buoys , but I guess you should of been in a situation where you almost lost an expensive anchor to comprehend the added value of a anchor buoy.


Regards
 
Hi,

I'm with those who leapt at the price - for something that other people are going to think is a courtesy mooring (with a mooring line at the end of the tape) or get tangled round their prop while they search the sky for masthead anchor lights.

I'm interested - how on earth did your chain break, its almost never reported, chains are virtually indestructible and, if chosen correctly, are grossly over engineered. So what's the story.

I'd invest in new chain. Its not much use knowing where the anchor is - when the yacht is on the beach (or worse).

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
Hi,

I'm with those who leapt at the price - for something that other people are going to think is a courtesy mooring (with a mooring line at the end of the tape) or get tangled round their prop while they search the sky for masthead anchor lights.

I'm interested - how on earth did your chain break, its almost never reported, chains are virtually indestructible and, if chosen correctly, are grossly over engineered. So what's the story.

I'd invest in new chain. Its not much use knowing where the anchor is - when the yacht is on the beach (or worse).

Jonathan
Click to expand...

Well , first of all , it was last year in Corsica . We were there for a few months and were battered and beaten twice a week by gale force westerlies. 8 to 9 B
As you can imagine we remained at the east coast (I would never anchor in severe winds blowing landwards) but were often hit by fall winds comming over the island. As you know these winds can be very brutal.
During such a gust (midday , and I was on my own ) my chain just snapped. Some neighbours came over with the dinghy , took the wheel so I could prepare the emergency anchor . I then reversed the chain dropted and set my spare and took a dive to retrieve my baby.
I replaced the old chain for a new one when getting in a Sicilian marina for the winter. That was last year
Chains can break , I know that as a fact now.

Be assured , once it's finished it will be hard not to look at my self adjusting buoy as I intend to make it stick out like a christmas tree during the night.
 
I am using since years the same Arrangement as posted above. A Little yellow buoy with a roller attached, one end of line attached to anchor, the other end attached to a rusty heavy shackle from the obsololete spares department.
Works perfect for me
 
I have 2 questions.

Firstly, when you drop the anchor with a buoy and line+pulley attached is there not a risk of the two becoming wrapped round each other as they descend vertically from bow?

Secondly, is it ok to put a light on a buoy? I'm fairly new to sailing and just wondered if there are any laws about sticking your own light on the water. I mean obviously you wouldn't use a red or green light, but are there no issues other than that?
 
fredrussell said:
I have 2 questions.

Firstly, when you drop the anchor with a buoy and line+pulley attached is there not a risk of the two becoming wrapped round each other as they descend vertically from bow?
Click to expand...

I use a large bow shackle and the line which attaches to the anchor runs through it. I use double blocks in order to extend the range, a single block would only allow say 20-40 ft with a 40ft line eg.
Device is not with me at present, trying to imagine how I rove it.
 
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