You’ve just bought a new pontoon boat, which is a great decision if you ask us. This little guy can be perfect for fishing, water sports, or even just sunbathing while reading a book. But, in order to keep your pontoon stable, you’ll need to learn how to anchor it properly.
In this article, we’ll help you choose the best location to install an anchor in a pontoon boat. So, let’s dive in!
The Best 3 Locations to Set Up an Anchor on a Pontoon Boat
According to sailors, attaching an anchor to the wrong place on a pontoon can be similar to not using an anchor at all. For this reason, you may want to take a look at the following locations to decide the best one for your needs.
1. On the Front
Even though not all captains agree on this point, the majority of them insist that the front of a pontoon is the right place for an anchor. The reason behind this is that it provides more stability on the water than other locations do.
Plus, a lot of people consider front anchoring much better than rear anchoring. Front anchoring comes with a lower chance of entanglement with other objects.
2. On the Cleat
The second best location to set up an anchor on a pontoon is on the cleat of the boat. In this scenario, you must calculate the depth of the water first to know the length of the rope you’ll need.
The rest is pretty easy. You’ll just have to make sure that the anchor is secure, turn on the engine, and drop it into the sea.
3. On the Fore or Rear End of the Boat
Anchoring on the fore or rear end of a pontoon is only suitable in one case, and that’s if you’re using an electric anchor winch. If not, the anchor could quickly become tangled with any number of things you might find in the sea.
Many people also consider the pontoon decking a great location to install their anchors. Some even suggested that you add ledges to the decking for additional benefits, including:
- Enhancing the stability of boats with narrow foredecks
- No drilling holes for installation
- They’re usually corrosion-resistant
How to Choose the Right Anchor for a Pontoon Boat
With so many anchor styles out there, it may be tricky to pick the perfect one for your pontoon. To make your decision a bit more simple, we’ll go through different types of anchors so that you can find the perfect match.
The Fluke or Danforth Anchor
This anchor works with most pontoon boats, making it one of the most popular out there. It consists of two long flukes that dig and bury themselves into the seabed, hence the name.
As a result, the fluke anchor provides large resistance. Another one of its much-appreciated features is that it’s lightweight, making it easy to retrieve and store.
The fluke anchor is suitable for sand, clay, and mud seabeds.
The Claw Anchor
A claw anchor is a good option for compact pontoon boats since it’s not as strong as a fluke anchor. Still, it’s not one to break easily in the face of wind and tide changes.
This buddy quickly aligns with the force of the wind, keeping your boat stable for as long as possible. And, thanks to the claw-like design, it allows for 360-turns without snapping free from the sea bottom.
The claw anchor works best with sand and rock seabeds.
The Richter Anchor
This heavy-duty anchor is perfect for a wide range of pontoon boats. Yet, it’s mostly used to moor big, hard-to-hold boats.
The reason why it’s the best candidate for this role is that the Richter anchor has a weighted center. In addition to that, the anchor is equipped with several flukes to remain stable in whatever type of bottom it’s buried in.
You could use it with mud, sand, rock, or clay seabeds.
The Plow Anchor
The plow anchor can do a wonderful job of keeping a pontoon in place. Even though it comes with two flukes, it relies on its weight to remain attached to the seabed.
Because of its decent strength, many sailors recommend using it with larger pontoon boats. Better yet, the plow anchor is designed for multiple bottom types.
A Beginner’s Guide to Anchoring a Pontoon Boat
Now, you’ve probably determined the perfect anchor to use and chose the right location for it. Don’t you think it’s time to learn how to properly use it?
Step 1: Sail to the Location You Want to Anchor in
Once you head to the location you’ll keep your boat moored in, it can be pretty easy to gather all the information you’ll need. For instance, you’ll know the nature of the seabed and how deep the water is.
After taking note of these details, you should be able to calculate the amount of rode you’ll be releasing.
According to experts, you’ll need five to seven times as much line as the depth of the water. Don’t forget to add in the distance between the water surface and the anchor attachment point.
Step 2: Install Your Anchor
Now, set up your anchor in whatever location you’ve deemed suitable. Remember to secure it to the point of the line where you’ll need it to stop. From that point, position your boat so that it faces the wind or current, whichever is stronger.
Then, set your engine to idle and bring your boat to a stop with its bow a bit forward of where you want to drop the anchor.
Step 3: Release the Anchor
Slowly let the anchor fall into the water. You shouldn’t throw it because the line might become easily tangled with any object.
Because you’ll be facing the wind, you’ll notice that your boat will start drifting backward. That’s completely normal as it allows the anchor to dig deeper into the seabed.
Wrapping Up
Knowing the best location to install an anchor on a pontoon boat can save you a lot of trouble in the future. It ensures that your anchor does its job perfectly, keeping your boat steady despite strong winds or currents.
Hopefully, you now know where and how to install your anchor so that you could make the most out of your pontoon boat.