Racing buoys

[Gary G]

Does anyone have any advice on the best type of ground tackle to use for setting a temporary inflatable (approx 2 ft diameter spherical) racing buoy? The mark is usually set in no more than 60 feet of water a few miles offshore on Lake Michigan. Racing has taken place in conditions usually no more severe than 8 foot waves and 30 knots. Thanks.

[Loren Beach]

Our club used to use a small Danforth or similar fluke anchor, with about 6 feet of chain, and then a rode length appropriate to the depth. We would also put a length of chain or a coffee can of concrete about 6 feet under the mark to make the initial part of the "tether" hang straight down in our 2 - 3 kt river current. That kept most keels from fouling the mark.
:rolleyes:

When you get tired of re-inflating and patching the bladders in the spendy "racing marks", do what we did and instead use Really Large (!) teardrop-shaped bright orange fenders. Indestructable.
:D
Retrieval note: you throw a loop of line over the "fender marks" to lasso them easily....

My experiences, FWIW,

Loren in PDX