Types Of Pontoon Boat Anchors
Box Anchors
Its considered the all-around pontoon boat anchor as its best performance is demonstrated at rivers and lakes. These areas are where pontoon boats usually have their journeys. This type of anchor clings to a muddy surface area with some vegetation that is present in the mentioned bodies of water.
Its a piece of cake to set it as you can just drop it then it sinks into the mud. A foot or two feet is the depth that it can penetrate. It depends on the anchors weight and the sediment density.
The box form of this anchor type creates friction when it deals with mud. It results in excellent holding power. Grass and other vegetation may be a struggle for a mushroom anchor but not for the box type. The latter has pointed flukes so it can pass through the roots of underwater vegetation.
It can also hold on to rocks or crevices so your pontoon will stay in place. It may be hard for some when you free the anchor. Do it by pulling your boat forward. Nevertheless, the real struggle of this tool is on sandy surfaces.
Fluke Anchors
This anchor works by digging into the bottom and it will get a hold of gravel and sand. The gripping ability of this anchor doesnt require hefty weight. Thus, the hoisting part wont be demanding too much strength. A 15-pound of this anchor is enough for a 30-foot pontoon boat over calm water.
Grapnel Anchors
Plow Anchors
Where To Tie An Anchor On A Pontoon Boat
Pontoon boats should always be anchored with the bow facing into the wind. This means that the pontoon anchor will be hanging off of the bow, and secured to a deck cleat off of the bow. In very calm, shallow water this may be all the anchor that is needed. However, calm, shallow water is very rarely the normal conditions on the water when boaters are out in the pontoon boat.
A second pontoon anchor is usually dropped from the stern, and also tied to a deck cleat. When two anchors are deployed, the bow should still be facing into the wind. The rear anchor will help to keep the boat aligned and in place. This adds greater stability for both fishing and play.
Pontoon boats are sometimes fitted with anchor ledges that have an anchor and anchor winch attached. The anchor winch is also called a windlass. This is a great upgrade for several reasons.
Some pontoon boaters recommend that if a single winch is used, it should be mounted near the motor to avoid long runs of wire. Follow the mounting directions given with the winch, or have it professionally installed at a boat mechanic shop.
For those who can afford the added expense of an anchor ledge and winch, this is a nice back-saving upgrade that also decreases the time spent in dropping and pulling up the anchor. That means a corresponding increase in the amount of time spent fishing, swimming, and having fun with family and friends.
Shallow Water Anchor Poles White
Vendor Shipping Details
This item will be fulfilled from the vendor. Delivery time varies typically 23 weeks.
Restrictions: This item does not ship to a PO Box, APO, FPO, DPO or international address. Expedited shipping is not available.
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Truck Freight is used to ship items that exceed standard shipping limitations on weight and/or size. Delivery is only applicable within the contiguous United States. Additional shipping fees apply. Signature required for receipt of shipment.
Frequently Bought Together
A silent, manual solution to shallow water anchoring.
Key Features
- When used with mounting bracket, strong light-weight poles anchor small boats in shallow water silently
- Can be used on kayaks with compatible scuppers
- Available in 8′, 10′ and 12′ to match frequented water depths
- Wide selection of mounting brackets available to maximize effectiveness and to match hull and deck shapes
- Can be used in conjunction with additional poles and brackets to hold boat without being influenced by the current or wind.
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Anchoring Pontoons In Bad Conditions
We do not recommend taking your boat out on the water during extremely high winds or natural disasters. Pontoon boats are not made for dangerous conditions and therefore should be docked or even dry-docked during periods of dangerous weather.
As when boating in general, it is always important to use common sense and not overthink it when anchoring your pontoon boat. If you use these tips and your common sense, then you should be all set for a wonderful day enjoying the water on your pontoon boat.
What Does It Mean When A Rope On An Anchor Is Marine

The marine-grade rope is capable of being fully submerged in the water without wearing out or coming apart as it moves deep into the water. The rope should do well, but it should also move deep enough to where the anchor chain is placed.
A good rope will be resistant, not too rigid, and should not be weak in water. These ropes are usually made of nylon, polyester, or high-quality fibers which does not absorb too much water.
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Boat Pwc Screw Shallow Water Anchor W/bungee
The Boat PWC Screw Shallow Water Anchor W/Bungee is next on our top 10 list of shallow water anchors. Its a pair of screw anchors that will hold your boat and keep it from drifting away.
Place one of the anchors at the front end of your boat and the other anchor at the rear end. Screw the anchors on the sand at 1-2 feet. That will be enough to hold your boat for the whole day.
This shallow water anchor pole is made of a special grade and super-strong plastic. The auger at the bottom end of the pole is made of military-grade plastic. The plastic material is stronger than cast aluminum, which could break and scratch your boat.
Key Features and Benefits:
- A pair of 60-inch sand bar anchors
- Poles are made of super-strong plastic that is stronger than cast aluminum
- You can place one anchor in front of the boat and the other at the back
- All the anchor parts are made in the USA and are top of the line
- Bungee color options
- With anchor color options
How To Anchor A Pontoon Boat
Once youre ready to go out on the water, youll need to learn how to properly anchor your pontoon boat. It might seem difficult, but it shouldnt be. Once youve done it a few times, you should master it. Below, youll find the steps for properly anchoring your pontoon boat.
- First
First and foremost, youll need to head to your anchoring location. Once youve found the right spot, youll need to learn more about the depth of the water and the surface at the bottom.
Youll need to use this information to determine how much rode is needed. Youll want to rely on recommendations from the United States Coast Guard.
Figure out the depth of the water and the distance of the waters surface to the attachment point of the anchor. Add these together. Then, youll need 5 to 7 times as much line.
Grab your anchor and secure it to the cleat where you prefer it to stop. It is best to point the boat in the direction of the wind or current. Make sure that your engine is idling and stopped. The bow should be positioned slightly past the point where you want to drop the anchor.
- Second
With the boat fully stopped, youll want to begin lowering the anchor into the water. Do not throw the anchor into the water since this could cause the line to tangle. Plus, it is safer to slowly lower it into the water.
Your boat is pointed toward the wind or current so it is going to drift back slightly. As a result, the anchor will sink down and away as it descends into the water.
- Third
- Fourth
- Fifth
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Stick It Anchor Pinsthe Original Shallow Water Anchor
The Stick It Anchor Pin® for shallow water is recommended for flats boats up to 24 feet or bay boats up to 20 feet. If you are fishing the flats, sand bars, points and mangrove shorelines in 8 feet of water or less you can be assured of faster, quieter, and stronger anchoring with the Stick It Anchor Pin® shallow water anchoring system.
Is A Power Pole Worth The Price
Many anglers take a second look at the sticker price for a power pole and wonder if the benefits outweigh the cost. The short answer would be it depends on how many fish you want to catch.
The power pole has hands down proven itself to allow fishermen to reel in huge hauls. It is quite common to see these in use for the professional fishing scene and for fishing companies who want their clients to catch as many as possible.
Why the power pole does this is because it makes the boat incredibly quiet even more so than any traditional anchor.
The power pole is also much easier to use than other anchors. Instead of lifting a heavy object and throwing it in the water or shoving a pole into the bottom by hand, all you do for the pole is push a button.
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Danielson Pvc Coat Anchor
Im amazed at how smoothly this PVC-coated anchor works. I wish I could have bought it first instead of the previous one that I had. I could have avoided diving into the water when the anchor got stuck at the bottom. Danielsons anchor stabilizes my pontoon when docking.
The form is like one of those grapnel anchors with PVC coating. I like this covering as it is not harsh to the finish of my pontoon boat. Im thankful as it wont live markings or scratches on the surface.
It can reach the river bottom where stumps, brush, mud, and rocks dwell. Just like how it works in the river, fishing with my pontoon on a lake is manageable and convenient because of this anchor.
With the 12 pounds of weight, it holds my pontoon firmly. This ability is from the grappling action that comes from the three individual blades. I think its what every fisherman wants for their boats or pontoons.
I can say that even though this anchor is affordable, it can be trusted to secure my pontoon boat when anchoring. It doesnt get stuck on rocky bottoms. When I want to take a break when fishing, I sometimes dont get off from my pontoon. I stay there as its being securely clutched by this anchor.
- Designed only for calm waters of rivers and lakes
Panther Marine King Pin Anchor Pole
The Panther Marine King Pin Anchor Pole, is a two-piece shallow water boat anchor with a total length of 10 feet. It is made of high-impact fiberglass with a diameter of 3/4 inch.
This anchor has a pool-cue-style butt collar made of stainless steel. The design element allows a fast breakdown of the anchor for easy storage or transport. Also, there are molded foam grips for comfortable handling and stainless steel tips to enable rapid bottom penetration.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Made of high-impact fiberglass at 3/4 inch diameter
- Two-piece poles with a pool-cue-style stainless steel butt collar for easy breakdown
- Comes with molded foam grips for comfort
- Easy to store and transport
- Weighs 5.2 pounds
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Which Anchor Is Right For My Boat
As a long-time boater, theres a lot of gear that I bring aboard my pontoon boat. From coolers to paper towels, I usually keep a small stockpile of necessities stored away all summer long for easy access.
The more I hit the water, the more I learned about whats valuable to keep with you at all times and what can leave the boat after each use. Things like extra flip flops for last-minute pit stops and sunglasses in case a friend forgot theirs became a norm.
If youre new to boating, I recommend making a long list of boat accessories before you jump on board. Doing this can save a lot of hassle when youre in the middle of the lake and you run out of sunscreen or need an extra anchor on a windy day.
Speaking of anchors, that is one item that never leaves my boat, even through winter storage. I live on a sandy bottom lake and we throw anchor nearly every time we venture out for the day. This is one of the most important pieces of boat gear you can have, but do you know which type is right for you?
Im going to explain some of the more popular anchor types and how to choose the best one for your situation. You might be surprised that theres more to consider in an anchor other than weight.
Choose The Right Pontoon Boat Anchor

There are many kinds of pontoon boat anchors, and expert boaters recommend using different kinds depending on the type of materials found under the water. There are three main things to take into consideration when choosing which pontoons anchor or two to take on a boating trip.
First is the holding power. Anchors are rated by their holding power, which is the amount of force that it takes pulling against the anchor to make it move. Longer boats that are floated on windy water or areas with a strong current will need much more holding power than shorter boats that float in small, sheltered coves.
The second is the weight of the pontoon anchor. Many people choose anchors that are too small because they are easy to use and store out of the way. However, when anchors are used that are too light for the size of the boat, then the boat is prone to drift. Drifting is dangerous because the boat can run aground, hit underwater obstacles, or collide with other boats or the dock.
The third consideration when choosing an anchor is the style of anchor. There are many different styles of anchors that are designed to hold in different underwater conditions. For those who plan to use the pontoon boat on a specific body of water, it will pay off to find out the underwater soil type and weed conditions and then choose the right anchor for that body of water.
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Top Seven Pontoon Boat Anchors Analysed
This listing includes a look at some of the great anchors for pontoon boats that you can use today. These include anchors that will secure themselves well onto the water floor and keep you from moving around when you dont want to.
Each anchor is different based on its design and weight among other features, so it helps to look at a few special features that make whatever you are offering attractive and valuable.
Our top seven pontoon boat anchors are:
Where To Anchor Pontoon Boat
Anchoring a pontoon boat is different from docking it. Docking your boat is a done near the shoreline, or in a marina, and requires a dock. When it comes to setting the anchor, you can pretty much anchor your pontoon boat just about anywhere you want to out on the water.
Where do you anchor a pontoon boat?
You can anchor a pontoon boat anywhere on the water as long as you are not impeding other boats or water users. Obviously anchoring in the middle of a busy passageway or at the corner of a bend would be unwise. But, as long as other water users can pass by you without difficulty you are safe to anchor your pontoon boat. You do not anchor a pontoon boat at a dock. You tie it to cleats or poles via dock ropes.
There are different anchor types and different anchoring techniques used in different types of marine environments. For example, a power-pole anchor set-up can be used to keep your boat in position in very shallow waters while a much stronger anchor, with adequate line, is required for deeper waters.
The best pontoon boat anchor for one situation may not be the best for another. In fact, one anchor that is perfect for one type of bottom may be totally useless in another. We covered pontoon boat anchor types here and you should read that article before choosing an anchor for your pontoon boat.
If you need a walk-through of the process of anchoring a pontoon boat be sure to read this article.
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What Is An Anchor Rode
An anchor rode is the line that connects the anchor to your boat. This line is usually made up of rope or chain, and sometimes a combination of the two. There are a few things to consider when choosing your anchor rode.
One of the biggest mistakes is not having enough anchor rode for your setup. A critical step to setting an anchor is knowing how far out the anchor should be in relation to the boat. Every situation will be different because every body of water has different depths.
A good place to start in determining how much anchor rode you need is by calculating one foot of rode for each foot of boat. As I mentioned, this is a starting point. If you plan on anchoring in 80 of water, you will need more line than that.
As I mentioned, one type of anchor rode is made up of rope and chain combined. I recommend this type over just using rope or just using chain. The metal chain will be connected to the bottom of the rope closest to the anchor.
This chain acts as a weight underwater and holds down the front side of the anchor keeping it from bobbing up when waves hit the line. The rope also pulls the chain which then allows the anchor to dig into the floor and set.
A properly set anchor has plenty of anchor rode and the anchor itself is far out from the boat. For example, in 10 of water with a sandy bottom, you may need 60-80 of line so that the anchor is far out and setting itself without interference from the boat bobbing up and down in the waves.