Is there a snubber or other shock absorber in there
somewhere?

the author anchors on rope, using the cable for chafe protection. Read a copy
of GOB on a newsstand. The author (and wife) uses 100' lengths (say they wish
they had 50' lengths) hooked together with carbiners, hooked to a small amount
of chain hooked to an anchor. Makes it easy to put out two anchors (in case
the wind shifts) with a heavy kellet weight to eliminate the rode fouling the
keel or rudder.