Anchors?

[gpfishingdude]

Could somebody tell me what is the best way to anchor a 18' pontoon boat? Looks like there are dozens of anchors to choose from and I have found that a pontoon boat can drag an anchor pretty easily in a little bit of wind.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Anchors?

For most conditions you can use a fluke or danforth style anchor with great success provided you have a good amount of chain connected to the anchor, equal to the length of your boat. That will help to keep the shank of the anchor from rising off the bottom, hence keeping it 'stuck'.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Anchors?

Depends to on the bottom. Biggest misstake folks make is not letting out enough anchor line.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Anchors?

^+1

you need a minimum of 5 x the depth for the amount of anchor rode. so if your in 10' of water, you need 50' of line

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Anchors?

5 to 7 is actually the range I believe. I am in prior SWO. Anyway, we anchor is a lot of 30ft levels.....I need a lot of line, so we actually don't anchor much.

 

[Mosnowman]

Re: Anchors?

I just bought a box anchor and have it attached to an anchor buddy line. It is awesome! Bottom line is box anchors cost around $150 but they absolutely work without a need for chain. It held my 25 footer in strong winds like a charm. I was skeptical about buying an anchor that expensive but I'm glad I did...

 

[MinUph]

Re: Anchors?

The only place we anchor is in the shallows. I was using a mushroom and it did not do the job. Sandy bottom. The Danforth style works well in the wind. Like stated above the bottom dictates the type anchor to use. And chain is also needed. Seems I remember 7 to 1 in the CG class years ago.

 

[Todd4]

Re: Anchors?

I bought a SS box (or slide) anchor, too. I attached 5' of SS chain to it so the rope can't wear through if draped over a rock on the bottom. So far, its held my 22 footer very well in all types of bottoms. Even with only letting out enough rode to equal about 2X the depth. Be prepared - they are PRICEY - so much so, I'll dive for mine if I ever lose it overboard (hence, the chain).

Todd

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Anchors?

We stopped at a store and bought an anchor and anchor winch on the way to Elkhart to get some seating. This winch is made for pontoon boats and should lift a 35# anchor. So I should have about ten pounds to spare. We might need that extra ten pounds of power to pick up weeds and muck. Still trying to figure where to mount the winch. Hate to have to cut out part of the wall on the fencing that surrounds the whole outside but I need the bow for the trolling motor. Another thing I don't want to interfere with the bow stop area. Thanks for all of the answers to my many questions.

 

[kryan2]

Re: Anchors?

http://www.diggeranchor.com/

I have a 28' toon built stricktly for party boat style fishing and have tried numerous anchors, chains and blistered hands plus a sore back from trying to lift 50lbs out of the water......NEVER AGAIN!

We purchased the digger anchor and 200' of rope......no more problems. I picked up the 15lb one. We do let a lot of rope out but it beats the heavy chain. I promise you, pick one up and you wont be dissapointed. Read the reviews...not one negative one.

Good luck!

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Anchors?

I have just your pretty standard cheap river anchor, only because it came with my boat. First thing I was going to do was buy a danforth, because in the past I've had great luck with them. But this river anchor came already on the boat on an electric wench. Let me tell you that with the right amount of line, I've never had an issue with my 18 footer moving.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: Anchors?

24'boat. 25 lbs Richter anchor. I normally anchor at a scope of about 2 to 1 and very rarely have any issues (one day in the last three years but the winds were pretty firece that day).