A good anchor for pontoon boat can ensure it won’t be carried away with the strong wind or current. No matter you are using a pontoon boat for swimming or fishing, you will need to have the right one for your boat. Choosing an anchor is difficult for any pontoon boat, especially for the smaller one. In this article, I am going to discuss how to select the best pontoon boat anchor.
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It is quite difficult to say the name of only one best product. Different pontoon boat anchors are suitable for different types of boats. Some are suitable for muddy rivers, while some others are for the rocky or sandy surface. Here I have compiled the best list of recommendations and reviews for your boat, which you can look at.
If you love to move around the areas that are full of water with wet sand, mud full of light vegetations, lakes, and rivers, then this is the suitable one to be used in such areas. It finds a better way to stick it very well in such areas.
It works by expanding its surface within the mud. The anchors must find a better way to get stuck to the mud to control the boat in various ways.
According to the rule of thumb, you should have only five minutes to complete the task of tying the boat with an anchor. You should check the depth of the boat, according to which you should select the size of the rope.
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Rivers made this fluke useful in an anchor kit as it helps to fix the boat to one particular place with safety and various benefits with a very unique and best method that is hot-dip galvanization. The weight of the anchor is 8.5 lbs and which is much enough to hold the boats. Fluke anchors are very useful in mud, sand, lakes, and even with the weeds. The width and height of the anchor are 21.5” and 15 inches. It includes the anchor chain and the shackles which are well galvanized.
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Do you frequently boat in rivers or the ocean where the bottom is rocky?
Do you need the best pontoon boat anchors that can hold a tanker and not break? If you do, you need a grapnel one.
Frequently people can get away with anchors that are not 100% suitable for the muddy or sandy bottom, but when it comes to rocks, there is no substitute; grapnel is the only option that works well with rocks.
Grapnel anchor has four long arms, which grab a firm hold of the rock below. Every Grapnel product will require a few feet of drift to find a grip on a rock. However, once set, it will have the most secure hold you will see from any anch
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This anchor for pontoon boat by Lewmar is a versatile option that works on different types of water beds. It can be used for a pontoon boat efficiently. High-grade steel construction and the effective design make it perform so well. Claw/Bruce anchor is great for sandy, muddy or rocky bottom.
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The Plow anchor is another universal choice on this list. It is dependable, looks good, and is easy to use.
It depends on its weight to grip to the bottom. Because of the weight, it is best to use it with a remote windlass.
If you have a larger pontoon boat, it might be the right choice for you if you are looking for one size fits all.
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This vinyl coated cast iron made anchor is a great choice for your pontoon boat. This works with most surfaces. But this is extraordinary with rocky and weedy bottoms. It is designed to combine the weight and flukes. This combination makes it penetrate and grip the muddy and sandy waterbed.
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Some will swear that this is the perfect options for pontoon boats. It works with all bottom types, requires a minimal line, sets itself, and it is effortless to retrieve.
And of top of that, if you are a fisherman, you will not drift away from your fishing spot. Where you set your anchor, is where your boat will stay.
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It is a bit different than the others mentioned above. The reason why is because you use it to your boat to the beach area, either beach itself or the shallow water next to it.
As the name says, it is perfect for sandy beaches. Try not to use it on anything larger than gravel, and this will be useless.
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While anchoring a boat, it’s important to select the appropriate one. The best pontoon boat anchor is always essential to run a boat. For your guidance here are some primary tips-
To have good quality pontoon boat anchors, one should consider the following tips:
You might have a question if you can do without an anchor or not while fishing. It will be depended on a few factors. These are discussed below-
If you frequently go fishing for the whole day, you should get an anchor. An inflatable pontoon boat anchor system can keep your boat to the right place. For the opposite direction of current and wind blowing fast, your boat might go away from the prime spot of fishing. Your boat should also need to be compatible with the facilities. So, if you have enough space in your boat to keep the anchor, you should buy one.
If your boat has the option of paddling, still you can bring an anchor along with you. This will not only help you to stand still for a few minutes on the water for resting but also allow you to chase fish confidently. If you have enough space on your padding boat, you should take a best pontoon boat anchors system.
Along with flatboat and lake fishing, river fishing is also quite accessible to the people. Generally, people use drift for river fishing. An anchor has both merits and demerits. In the river, it can’t help you much because there is no current on the river. So, carrying it can be big trouble for you as it might weigh down your boat.
You will need an anchor if you are fishing on the water, which has little to moderate current, and you need support to hold your boat in the right place. But don’t dare to use an anchor on the sea as the flow is higher on the sea.
Before getting the right type of anchor, you will need to make sure you are getting the right rope to hold your anchor with your boat. For beginners, any anchor which can keep your boat on the water is the perfect one. You should also look for quality rope while buying. It is better if you get a string of marine quality. This kind of rope is soft and user-friendly. You can handle the line easily without cutting your hands.
You will find out different types of anchors for your pontoon boat in the market. Different anchors come with different price, features, and models. Before buying a particular one, you should know about different types. These are-
For the sandy and gravel ground, fluke anchor is a perfect choice. It is specially made to keep the boat secure. It also keeps the boat steady. However, the pontoon boat should not be too heavy for this type of anchor. While buying the fluke anchor, you should focus on the size of the pontoon boat. For different surfaces, different weight measurements should be done. For sandy surface, more weight of craft is needed comparing to the muddy surface.
Box anchors are one of the most popular types used for the pontoon boats, which run mostly on the lakes and rivers. It is the best choice for inflatable boats also. It can be suitable for any kind of bottom, including extremely muddy to sandy. The pontoon boat needs to have enough lines and space to let itwork. It will not get the right angle to hold the bottom firmly unless the line of the boat is long enough. On the deep water, it is better to use line five times longer than the regular time.
If you want to sail your pontoon boat on the rocky and harsh surface, this is the right set of option for you. It can hold the rock with its arm correctly. It comes with four hooks to secure the stability of the pontoon boat. So, with this anchor, you will get the firm hold. Managing and carrying is quite more comfortable than the others types. The compact size of it can fit any small boat.
So, How to Anchor a Pontoon Boat?
Setting up an anchor is not that difficult. Anyone can set up knowing the right steps to set it up. Here I am discussing the necessary levels of setting up a pontoon boat.
At first, you will need to find out the best location to install an anchor on a pontoon boat. Then you must direct to your boat and make sure it is heading to the current or wind whichever is stronger.
Then you will need to measure the depth of the water. It is crucial to find out how many lines out you will need for the anchor so that it can get a firm grip.
While setting up, you will need to keep your boat engine idle. It will help you to set the bow right in the place where you want to drop your anchor.
In this step, you will need to secure the anchor to the ground and slowly release it. You should not toss the line as there is a chance of tangling it. If it finds out a little drift, the anchor can sink. After setting up, if you can’t move your pontoon boat, you should put your engine in reverse condition and start moving slowly.
After bringing your boat to the spot from where you want to anchor your boat, you should wrap the rode around a cleat, turning the engine off. It should be done twice to get a grip firm. Then suddenly, you will feel that the anchor has dig to the surface. You have to keep the engine in reverse condition to secure the anchor properly with the ground.
When you have completed the tour, you will need to lift the anchor vertically. Then wash off the mud or sand from it. You will need to store it properly. Unprotected anchors can hurt people.
Video Credit – Daniel Connell
One needs to take all possible safety measures while using an anchor. Your boat should not be damaged for the inappropriate use of a pontoon boat.
You should always keep your boat outside of water to avoid any damage to your pontoon boat.
You should always store and cleaning the mud and debris off to it. It can damage the anchor and bring different species to your bot.
It is essential to clean and maintain the anchor properly. For the better function and performance, you can follow the tips below-
In the state of Idaho, 3 people in two separate incidents have died in the last 6 years while trying to anchor a boat. In one of the cases, a man got his leg tied around the anchor line and then tossed in the anchor—pulling him to the bottom and drowning him. In the other case, a family was on a small craft and threw out the line which was too short. The boat flipped and was held upside down by the anchor which hadn’t reached the bottom.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that 2 NFL football players and a college football player died when improperly anchoring their boat. The anchor was stuck on the bottom 120 feet below and was unretrievable. Having lost an anchor the previous weekend that was unretrievable, the group fought hard to retrieve. They decided to tie the anchor to the stern of the boat, which is unsafe as it is not as sturdy or a platform as the bow. They then proceeded to gun the motor in hopes of pulling the anchor free, but anyone with knowledge of it knows that this would only drive the anchor further into the ground. The force flipped the 18′ boat and left the four boaters in 65-degree water. Even with life jackets, three of the men died of hypothermia and were lost at sea. One survived.
In 2013, the Home Times reports another anchoring death when a man’s hand got caught in an anchor chain as the motor for the anchor was activated, dragging him down to his death.
Anchoring is not an inherently dangerous activity, but incidents such as these prove that there is always need for caution when boating. Be careful out there.
Video Credit – marineinsight
For anchoring, people have a lot of questions in mind. Few of the frequently asked questions I am trying to answer below-
Strong wind and current can be the reasons for drifting. It is quite challenging to maintain the boat in these situations. However, you can get an additional anchor in these types of cases.
The position of your pontoon boat should be directed towards either wind or the flow of the current. From these, whichever is stronger, you should point the nose of your boat towards it.
For river fishing, you should choose box anchors you. The anchor, which can grip firmly to both sand and mud, you should invest in it.
The marine-grade rope can be fully submerged in the water without wearing out or coming apart as it moves deep into the water. The rope should do well, but it should also move deep enough to where the anchor chain is placed. A good rope will be resistant, not too rigid, and should not be weak in water. These ropes are usually made of nylon, polyester, or high-quality fibers which does not absorb too much water.
An anchor will more than likely get into sand or mud. The water floor should be soft enough to handle it.
Saltwater should not hurt the rope, but you should at least look for something thicker and denser to be safe.
The great thing about an anchor is that you can get it to go as far into the water as you want. But it might be hard for you to get the anchor to move into the water if you want to put it in a lower position.
It would help if you tried to keep the anchor moving by a few feet per second to make it easier for the anchor to penetrate the water floor as you move it down.
You would have to pull on the wire or rope to get the anchor removed. Of course, you would have to keep the motor or any other propulsion features on the boat off so the anchor will not accidentally lift itself out of the surface you have put it in.
You have the option to sharpen the flukes on your anchor if desired, but the key is to keep their shapes intact. You do not want to change the overall appearance of the flukes in any way, as they might not work as well if you modify them far too much.
You don’t necessarily have to store your anchor in some space when you are not using it, but it helps store it in the bag to keep it organized.
For you to capably hold down a normal-sized pontoon vessel, you will especially require approximately 15 by up to 20 pounds of weight. And, among the 3 distinct kinds of anchors ready for use for boaters, the box anchor type is available in bigger sizes and is usually heavier than the rest.
Please take note that, in many instances, the heftier the anchor is, the better; however, the case is opposite when it comes to a pontoon boat; that is, it is not advisable to pick anything that is beyond 30 pounds in weight, as this is not needed. As for the length of your pontoon boat, you can easily measure this by yourself.
The good thing here is that once you know your pontoon boat’s weight and length, you will exactly pinpoint what anchor is the best option for you.
The anchor for a pontoon boat’s safety and capability to survive in the ocean highly banks on its performance, size, and construction. While this is highly ideal for rivers and inland lakes use, this does not imply that they are not suitable for ocean waters.
So long as they are made with durable materials, are resistant to corrosion, and thick enough, they can withstand saltwater and practically be used in oceans.
Based on your requirements, some of the top Pontoon boat anchors include Fortress anchor, slide large box anchor, Foldable grapnel anchor, sliding small box anchor, and Penetrating galvanized styled fluke anchor. The choice depends on the type of boat, the water you would be sailing into, and your personal budget. Once you have considered all these factors, you can then make an informed decision on the purchase.
No, the different types of boats have their own anchor requirements based on their size and weight. It’s not a one type fits all kind of component. Thus, you must be aware and have proper knowledge of your boat’s requirements and journey before you decide to buy an anchor for the Pontoon boat.
So, if you like fishing or spending time in a pontoon boat, an anchor can help you stay on the water steadily for a long time.
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As of: 25th February 2021 (Updated)
John is a boating expert and has his pontoon boat. He has two of these boats, one for teaching or recreation and another with an ocean tour. He helped us to gather all the information for creating this article.
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2 thoughts on “Finding the Best Anchor for Pontoon Boats”
Thank you George because writing this post, the Richter Anchor looks good and dont have the cons. How suitable to use the anchor in the salt water?
I bought another and can use it well in salt water