How To: 5 Steps to Setting your Anchor

The best thing about a pontoon is there is a lot of room. But it’s no surprise the extra room can make these unique crafts more difficult to anchor than your average runabout. The extra floatation that keeps a pontoon more stable in the midst of rougher water, keeps it moving if the anchor isn’t set correctly.

Step One

Head to where you want to anchor, the location will differ based on your needs. Determine the water depth and the nature of the bottom and calculate the amount of rode you will need to release.

The U.S. Coast Guard recommends five to seven times as much line as the depth of the water plus the distance from the surface of the water to the anchor attachment point. Secure your anchor to the cleat at the point of the line where you will want it to stop. From there, point your boat heading into the wind or current, whichever is stronger. Put your engine in idle and bring the pontoon to a stop with the bow just forward of where you want to drop your anchor.

Step Two

Once your boat is stopped, release the anchor slowly into the water. It’s important to remember not to throw it for safety reasons and because the line is more likely to tangle. Because you are pointed into the direction of the wind, your boat should start to drift backward. This allows the anchor to move down and away as it sinks. If your boat is stationary when the anchor hits the ground, the chain will pile on top if it and stop it from digging in. If your boat is not moving on its own, put the engine into reverse and slowly move forward as you release the rode.

Step Three

Remember to keep the tension in the anchor rode. This will keep your boat pointed toward the anchor, which is important because it ensures that your rope and anchor do not tangle. If you’re anchoring in rougher water or stronger winds, you may have to put the engine in forward gear to control the direction and speed of the backward drift.

Step Four

Once you’re in the spot you would like to be in, it’s time to secure the rope so that your anchor will dig in. Wrap the rode twice around a cleat. Once you feel the anchor digging in, put the engine in idle reverse and back down on the anchor to secure it to the bottom. Once it’s set, take note of noticeable landmarks. By checking these points periodically, you can make sure you’re not drifting.

Step Five

Once you’re ready to leave, the anchor should be easy to pull up if it’s been set correctly. Lift the anchor as vertically as possible so it won’t damage your boat. Carefully wash off mud and debris before bringing it into the boat, especially if you are in waters that are known to contain invasive species.

Often times, two anchors are required to keep the boat from drifting. For serious anchoring, using 3 to 4 feet of heavy chain connected directly to the anchor is advised. The length of the chain should be equal to the length of your boat. For a brief stop or for fishing, an all rope anchor rode or shorter chain will be sufficient. The purpose of the chain is to let the anchor to tip over as well as act as a shock absorber, keeping the anchor on its side without letting waves pull on the boat and cause the anchor to rise up and pull loose. Drop the first anchor off the middle of the bow of the pontoon so there will be less resistance to the water and the wind, and less pull on the anchor. Then use the other anchor to keep the boat from swinging if necessary.