How To Anchor A Pontoon Boat – A Guide for Beginners 2023

Reviewed By Boatsbuilding Expert

Have you ever wanted to take your pontoon boat out on the open waters but weren’t sure how to properly secure it?

Anchoring your pontoon boat correctly is vital to ensure that your vessel stays in one place during your outing.

Maintaining safety and avoiding any potential damage to the boat or its passengers is also essential.

Enrolling your pontoon boat is straightforward, with the proper knowledge and equipment.

The following guide will provide you with all the steps necessary to ensure your boat is securely anchored and ready for your next adventure.

Overview of Anchoring a Pontoon Boat

When anchoring a pontoon boat, the location and circumstances where you are boating will determine the best anchor.

If the bottom of the water is made of sand, silt, or mud, then a weightless anchor is the most suitable option for your boat.

If the bottom of the water is made of rock, coral, or gravel, then a plow or grapnel anchor is the best option for your boat.

If you anchor in a current or tide, a ground anchor is the best option for your boat.

The correct type of anchor will ensure you can stay in one place in the water.

The amount of anchor chain needed to properly anchor a pontoon boat will depend on the depth of the water.

You will need about two times the depth of water as an anchor chain to anchor your boat.

Types of Anchors for Pontoon Boats

Weightless Anchor: A weightless anchor is a type of anchor that is designed to sink to the bottom of the water and stay there. These anchors are ideal for areas where the water is soft, and the bottom of the water is muddy. They are an excellent option for areas that have a lot of mud. Weightless anchors are commonly used on pontoon boats because they are stable, easy to use, and do not damage the bottom of the water.

Plough Anchor: A plow anchor has two or more flukes or teeth that dig into the bottom of the water as you’re slowly dropping it. This anchor is ideal for areas where the bottom of the water is rock or hard sand. Knowing the bottom type is essential to select the best anchor for your boat.

Grapnel Anchor: A grapnel anchor has flukes or hooks that dig into the bottom of the water as you’re slowly dropping it. This anchor is ideal for areas where the bottom of the water is made up of rocks or coral.

How to Calculate the Amount of Anchor Chain Needed

The amount of chain needed to anchor your boat correctly will depend on the depth of water where you are boating.

The chain should be two times the depth of water as the anchor chain. Example: If you are boating in water 10 feet deep, you will need about 20 feet of the chain as an anchor chain.

The chain should be about five times the diameter of the anchor being used as the anchor chain.

Example: If you are using a 3/8″ diameter anchor, you will need about 18 feet of the chain as an anchor chain.

How to Attach the Anchor Chain to the Pontoon Boat

The first step in anchoring a pontoon boat is to attach the anchor chain to the ship. There are a few ways you can do this, depending on the type of chain you use.

If you use a swivel, snap swivel, or a harness with your chain, you will want to attach the chain to the anchor roller.

If you are using a chain without one of the above attachments, you will want to attach the chain to the windlass on the boat.

Before attaching the chain to your boat, you will want to ensure you have the correct chain to anchor your boat correctly.

It is also important to ensure you have the proper type of chain for the water you are boating in.

If you are unsure about the type of chain you should use, you can check with the manufacturer of your pontoon boat.

Prepping the Anchor for Deployment

Before you deploy the anchor to anchor your pontoon boat, you will want to ensure it is adequately rigged and ready for use.

First, make sure all the links in the chain are connected, and the chain is not twisted.

Next, you will want to ensure the shackle is at the top of the chain and not twisted. Once you have the chain ready, you can attach the anchor to the chain.

The best way to set up your anchor is to tie a figure 8 knot with the chain.

Once the chain is tied together, you can drop the anchor into the water and slowly pay out the chain as you gently let the boat drift.

Dropping the Anchor

Once you’ve attached the chain and prepared the anchor, you can drop it into the water.

Depending on the type of anchor you use, you may need to slowly let go of the anchor as you drop it so it can sink to the bottom of the water.

The best way to do this is to gently let the chain out of your hand as the anchor descends.

If you want to anchor in a current or a tide, you will want to drop the anchor perpendicular to the current or tide.

This will help keep the boat steady in the water and will help keep the ship in one place.

When to Retrieve the Anchor

Once you’ve anchored your boat and everything is stable, you will want to wait a few hours before retrieving the anchor.

This will help ensure the anchor has dug in and is properly anchored. Once you’ve anchored and are ready to leave, you will want to retrieve the anchor slowly.

It prevents the anchor from getting caught on the bottom of the water. It would help if you also were careful not to let the anchor come in contact with the boat before it is fully retrieved.

If the anchor touches the boat before it is fully retrieved, it can cause damage to the vessel or even cause an accident.

Tips for Anchoring a Pontoon Boat

Know the type of water where you are boating so you can select the best anchor for your boat.

Make sure all links in the chain are connected, and the chain is not twisted before deploying the anchor.

Use a figure 8 knot to tie the chain before dropping the anchor.

Drop the anchor perpendicular to the current or tide if you anchor in a contemporary or wave

Wait a few hours before retrieving the anchor to ensure it has dug in and is properly anchored.

Be careful not to let the anchor come in contact with the boat before it is fully retrieved.

Know the depth of water where you are boating so you can correctly select the amount of chain needed to anchor your pontoon boat.

Select a weightless anchor if the water is soft and has a lot of mud.

Safety Considerations

When anchoring a pontoon boat, it is vital to ensure that the anchor is not too heavy for the ship.

An anchor that is too heavy for your boat can cause damage or even sink your ship. It is essential to know the anchor weight of your boat before anchoring.

You should also ensure you anchor in a location that does not harm other ships.

Maintaining a safe distance between your ship and other vessels is also essential. If you are anchoring a ship in a group, you may want to let others know where you are arriving so they don’t get too close.

While anchoring your boat, ensuring that you have the proper equipment, knowledge, and location before starting is vital.

You also want to ensure you are not illegally anchoring in a particular area. Following these steps, you can successfully anchor your boat and enjoy your boating experience.

FAQS

Where do you put an anchor on a pontoon boat?

An anchor is an essential piece of safety equipment on a pontoon boat, as it can help keep the ship in one spot and prevent it from drifting off with the currents or wind. Generally speaking, the best place to put an anchor on a pontoon boat is in the bow, near the front of the boat, because this is where the weight of the anchor will be most effective. Additionally, if you are anchoring in shallow water, you may need to use multiple anchors in various locations around the boat to ensure it stays put.
When attaching the anchor to the pontoon boat, you want to ensure it is securely fastened and not in danger of coming loose. This can be done by running a line through the eye of the anchor, tying it to a cleat on the pontoon, and then securing it with a knot that can handle a lot of tension. Also, you may want to consider adding a buoy or float to the end of the anchor line so that it can easily be retrieved once you are ready to move on from your anchoring spot.
In addition to the anchor, you may also want to consider adding other items to ensure your boat stays secure while you’re at anchor. For you can add a sea anchor, which is an additional anchor that can be dropped off the side of the boat and will help keep it from drifting too far off course. Finally, you should always have an anchor light on board so that other ships can see your boat at night.
Overall, anchoring on a pontoon boat is relatively easy if you follow these tips and ensure that your anchor is securely attached. With a bit of preparation and attention to detail, you should be able to keep your pontoon boat safely anchored in even choppy waters!

Do you need an anchor for a pontoon?

Using an anchor for a pontoon boat is not necessary, although it can be helpful in certain situations. Anchors are primarily used to keep a ship fishing or spot, such as when fishing or when docking in a harbor. Even though pontoon boats are relatively lightweight, the size and shape of their hulls may make anchoring difficult in some areas due to their shallow draft. Additionally, pontoon boats are designed to move quickly and can easily be pushed around by wind and waves.

How heavy of an anchor do I need for a 20-foot pontoon?

The size and weight of the anchor you need for your 20-foot pontoon will depend on several factors, including the type of bottom your pontoon is moored in, the wind and wave conditions in your area, and the size of your float. Generally, a 15-20 pound anchor will be sufficient for most floats. If you are moored in grassy or weedy bottoms, a heavier anchor such as a 25-30 pound anchor may be necessary to provide adequate holding power. Additionally, if you experience strong winds or large waves, a heavier anchor can offer better stability and security. Ultimately essential to consider all of the factors that affect your specific situation before choosing an anchor.

Can you anchor a pontoon boat from the stern?

Yes, it is possible to anchor a pontoon boat from the stern. This is done by attaching a rope or chain to the stern cleat and then connecting it to an anchor placed in the water. The anchor will then catch onto the bottom of the lake or river and keep the boat in place. Anchoring from the stern is convenient because it allows the ship to adjust the anchor line constantly. It also reduces the amount of drag created by the anchor since it is closer to the boat. When anchoring from the stern, it is crucial to ensure the anchor line,e is long enough and tied securely so the boat doesn’t drift away. Additionally, it is vital to check the depth of the water before anchoring to ensure the anchor can reach the bottom.

Fred Apstein

Fred Apstein is a man of many talents. He studied at Sustainable Community Development and Royal Roads University, but what he loves to do is sailing, building boats, cooking seafood, and picking up the pieces when things go wrong! He's been in business for over 40 years with no refrigeration on his sailboats - that means food drying and pickling became necessary skills