Boating on a pontoon is accessible, it’s true. You can probably drive a boat if you can drive a car. A small aspect, however, is challenging to master: anchoring. Here are a few tips I’ve gathered over the last few years on How to anchor a pontoon boat.
To anchor a pontoon boat properly, you must determine the depth and place the boat appropriately. Once the anchor is hooked into the bottom of the lake or river, lower it off the boat’s bow. Check for drifting by using a visual landmark.
How to anchor a pontoon boat in 7 steps
The pontoon boat is very buoyant and can bounce around a lot. For them to function correctly, you need them.
You must lower your anchor and leave the rope with the proper slack.
Here is an in-depth guide for beginners and seasoned boaters on how to prevent your boat from drifting. If you follow these steps, you will be far from rocks and enjoy your boating experience.
I’ve gotten too close a couple of times because I ignored how my boat was anchored. Read on to find out what I learned on How to anchor a pontoon boat.
1. Positioning of your pontoon boat
Anchoring begins with deciding where to settle.
In an ideal situation, you would avoid banks or rocks where you, your passengers, and your boat could be at risk.
Moreover, pontoon boats are highly susceptible to wind and weather conditions.
The direction your pontoon boat faces doesn’t matter so much if it’s calm and there’s just a mild breeze on your day out on the water.
It is intelligent to face the boat in the direction of the strongest wind or current if you are in strong winds or currents. The above-mentioned is the most crucial step on How to anchor a pontoon boat.
2. Calculating rode
You should check the depth of the water once your pontoon boat is positioned correctly.
To anchor successfully, you will also need to consider the type of material on the bottom.
A guide on the Boat US website explains how much riding is needed at specific depths. Depth finders can also be helpful here.
As soon as you know the depth of the water, measure out five times the rod length. You will then have enough to anchor safely once you know the depth of the water.
3. Prepare to anchor
Your pontoon boat must be anchored appropriately after making all the necessary calculations.
The boat needs to be as static and still as possible for your pontoon to anchor successfully.
Idling the engine can help you achieve this. In addition, I recommend that you place the bow slightly forward when you want to anchor.
4. Drop the anchor
Do not drop it in the water when I say “drop.”.
Although you may be tempted to throw it into the water, you and your fellow boaters may be at risk.
It is imperative to keep the anchor from becoming tangled with the line when you lower it into the water.
Anchor length should be about five to seven times the depth of the water.
Ensure your anchor is securely attached to your boat before gently lowering it.
Many anglers have lost this big piece by not tying it down and getting swept into the water while trying to retrieve it.
Secure your pontoon boat first before anchoring it. You can accomplish this by tying the anchor to the cleat. These nautical sailing knots with tutorial videos will help you secure a better knot.
5. Feel for resistance
Anchors must be buried on the bottom of a lake or river to be properly anchored.
Your boat is less likely to sink if it is buried securely.
You might be familiar with the expression “Drag the anchor.” It is imperative to avoid this to keep your boat still.
Watch for a while to see if the anchor is firmly anchored. Even though this might seem tedious, I have found it helpful in my boating experiences.
The boat moves with the current after the anchor falls into the water and makes its way to the bottom.
6. Use a landmark as a visual indicator.
I have found that taking note of the landmarks in the area has been helpful over the years. You may miss it if you’re not paying attention.
Regularly checking these markers is sound advice.
I may, for instance, find a tree on the land that parallels a Bimini frame leg.
My pontoon boat might anchor down again if a tree has moved in its vicinity, and I reevaluate how far I have drifted.
7. Up again
This last step is not about How to anchor a pontoon boat, but when to pull the anchor back up is equally significant.
The most experienced recreational boaters and anglers know when to let down their anchor and when to pull it up again when necessary.
Precautions must be taken when anchoring, too.
Gently pull your anchor up vertically to avoid damaging your pontoon boat.
Q1. Do I need to do anything if my pontoon is still drifting?
Even if you are an experienced pontoon, strong winds and currents can contribute to it.
An additional anchor that you can drop off the side might be wise.
Q2. What is the proper place to tie an anchor on a pontoon boat?
Pontoonopedia’s most famous anchor article was published live in 2018 and tells you where to place your anchor.
Q3. How to anchor a pontoon boat to a sandbar or beach?
Sand and beaches pose their unique challenges to anchoring. Both of those challenges are covered in separate guides that I have written.
Thanks to this tutorial on How to anchor a pontoon boat, you can now feel more confident about securing your watercraft in rivers and lakes. You can now enjoy fishing, swimming, and other water-related activities with your family and friends without leaving your preferred location.
Share this guide with your friends if you found it helpful. They will be interested in knowing what you know already. Please feel free to ask me any feedback or questions you may have regarding this article.