While out on the water in a pontoon boat, you'll want to make sure you're safe and secure from waves and wind. Using an anchor is the best way to do this, although it seems simpler at a glance than it actually is.
Anchoring must be done the right way in order to avoid beaching your boat, or landing into deeper ocean waves. A proper anchor can keep you from drifting, and with the right technique, stay anchored in one spot. Today we'll cover the best pontoon anchors for your pontoon boat of all shapes and sizes.
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PRODUCT
PRODUCT DETAILS
OUR #1 RATED
Extreme Max
BoatTector Anchor
25 lb. anchor designed to work with winches, and pontoons or fishing boats up to 25 feet.
Slide Anchor
Box Anchor
Easy control of placement, large galvanized box anchor for boats up to 40 feet, and cabins to 32 feet.
MarineNow
Fluke Style Anchor Kit
8.5 lb fluke anchor kit for boats between 15 to 24 feet.
SeaSense
River Anchor
20 lb black vinyl coated anchor for rivers and mud bottom lakes. Works well for pontoons and bass boats.
SeaSense
Navy Anchor
20 lb navy anchor with black vinyl coating to sink into sand and mud.
Who Needs To Use A Pontoon Anchor?
Anyone planning to go out on a boat should have a proper anchor. This applies whether you're out on the ocean, a lake, or any other body of water. An anchor will help to keep you in one place. This prevents drifting or movement from the wind and larger waves.
How Does A Pontoon Anchor Work?
A pontoon anchor, or any anchor for that matter, works by digging itself into the sand or mud along the bottom of the water. As the tension of the boat moves your anchor rope, the anchor digs deeper into the sand or mud for a firm hold.
How Do I Anchor Up My Pontoon Boat?
The following YouTube video shows the proper anchoring techniques to use:
In order to setup your anchor the right way, there are a few things you'll need as mentioned in the video:
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PRODUCT
PRODUCT DETAILS
Extreme Max
Braid MFP Anchor Line
A strong marine grade anchor rope will withstand the wear and tear of boat use.
US Stainless
Stainless Steel Anchor Chain
The anchor chain helps to take the pull of the boat weight off the anchor itself to prevent drag.
Minn Kota
Pontoon Deckhand
(Optional) A good pontoon anchor winch can make reeling in the anchor a whole lot easier.
How Do I Choose A Pontoon Anchor?
No single anchor works as a "one size fits all". There are many different kinds of anchors available, and each fit for a different purpose. Some anchors work best for rivers, oceans, or lakes. It's important to choose an anchor that best fits the kinds of waters you'll be in.
Buy a pontoon anchor that matches the weight and size of your boat. You can find these measurements in the descriptions of the anchors. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the anchor, the larger the boat it's designed for.
Going a little heavier on your anchor than the length of your boat is fine. Yet, there's no real benefit to get an anchor much larger than what your boat needs. In many cases it's more of a burden to have the extra weight to carry along. Take a look at the recommended boat length for any given anchor to verify that your boat is compatible.
Choose an anchor that's well made so it lasts. Your anchor will endure lots of wear and tear out on the water. Therefore it needs to be durable. Many come equipped with a vinyl coating material that's built to be tough.
Below is a checklist of things to look for when choosing a pontoon anchor:
- Ensure you pick the right anchor for what kind of waters you're on.
- Buy an anchor that matches the size of your boat.
- Choose a pontoon anchor that is well made.
What Is The Best Pontoon Anchor?
We've looked at a range of pontoon anchors and have selected five anchors. The main things we've looked at are quality, price, and sizing. We've reviewed these five anchors and listed some pros and cons for each anchor.
our #1 rated
Extreme Max
BoatTector Anchor
Quality
Price
Our rating
The Extreme Max BoatTector anchor is available in one color and size. The anchor weighs 25 pounds which is perfect for pontoons, fishing boats, and runabouts up to 25 feet in length. The design also works well for hold in lakes and rivers with mud, sand, or rock.
Customers who purchased this anchor liked how strong it was for holding down their boat. Many people said that it performed much better than expected. Other customers reported that it works well with the Minn Kota deckhand mentioned earlier.
Some customers who used this pontoon anchor said that it does not look the most stylish when stowed on the front of a boat. A few people commented that they found it to not bite down well, as it digs it's a bit lightweight. One customer noted that it was heavy and another had theirs break off at the top.
PROS
CONS
our #2 rated
Slide Anchor
Box Anchor
Quality
Price
Our rating
The Slide Anchor box anchor comes in three sizes with baby, small, and large. The anchor does not need any mechanical power from your boat, and sets within 1 foot of landing. In addition, the large box anchor can work for larger boats from 30 to 40 feet.
Customers who purchased this anchor said that it's locking mechanism features a very solid build quality. People say that you get what you pay for with this kind style of box anchor, and that it will last. Customers also said that it has no retrieval problems.
Many people who purchased this anchor said that even the small size is a bit heavy. A few customers who used this said that you'll need a thick line to pull up the anchor even though it may seem like overkill. Other customers reported that they were not able to set it in sand.
PROS
CONS
our #3 rated
MarineNow
Fluke Style Anchor Kit
Quality
Price
Our rating
This fluke style anchor kit by MarineNow comes in one shape and size option. The anchor features a portable 8.5 pound size designed for boats anywhere from 15 to 24 feet in length. It also comes included with a 98 foot anchor line and shackles for proper anchoring technique.
Customers who purchased this anchor kit found it to be a great value for the money. Many customers said that it held their boat well even in fairly strong winds. Other customers commented that it grabs the bottom very fast in an impressive way.
A few customers who purchased this anchor said that the length of the stock is a bit narrower than others. Some people who used it also said the included 98 foot line is a bit stretchy and not the best. Some customers also said that it can have trouble holding.
PROS
CONS
our #4 rated
SeaSense
River Anchor
Quality
Price
Our rating
The SeaSense river anchor comes in one shape and size. It features a 20 pound frame with a black vinyl coating. The anchor is designed for rivers and mud bottom lakes primarily. Although, it does also work in sand. Not to mention, it works great for both pontoon and bass boats.
Customers who purchased this anchor said that it's heavy enough to hold their boat without any additional chain. People said they liked the plastic coating as it makes for a quick clean up and easy storage. Customers also said that the mushroom design works well for a firm hold.
Some people who used this anchor said that it's a little too heavy when in deep waters. Other customers found that overtime some of the coating can come off. Although, it's an anchor and not a centerpiece.
PROS
CONS
our #5 rated
SeaSense
Navy Anchor
Quality
Price
Our rating
This SeaSense navy anchor is available in one size and color. It also features a black vinyl coating similar to the river style anchor from the same company. The navy anchor combines weight with flukes to dig firmly into both sand and mud.
People who purchased this anchor said that it's well made and gets the job done. Some customers who use it on their pontoon boat over 20 ft say that it works perfect. Other people said that for the money, it's one of the best value options out there.
A few customers who used this anchor said that it had some open spots on the vinyl coating. Some people also said that it may not be able to hold a larger boat on its own. Other people said the straight rod in the middle came apart on them.
PROS
CONS
To Conclude
Each pontoon anchor we've reviewed works for those looking to secure their boat while out on the water. All the anchors feature decent materials, a strong hold, and ways to fasten it to a deckhand.
After comparing all the products the best pontoon anchor is the Extreme Max BoatTector.
This anchor works well for securing down your boat from strong winds and waves. It features a design for precise anchor positioning, and a 25 pound frame. We also like the fact that the anchor is compatible with many deckhands.