Anchoring solutions for pontoons have been tricky from the start and unfortunately tend to be one of two things: a last-minute deck addition or an unlucky passenger.
Nevertheless, generic anchoring solutions have flooded the market for years: winches like the Minn Kota Deckhand and a plethora of Trac Outdoor products are standard mechanical anchoring aids for pontoons, often purchased with pre-spooled anchor rope and two-year warranties. However, plastic contraptions like these have little-to-no integration with the pontoon’s helm control and they tend to become inconspicuous tripping hazards that, when installed above-deck, leave little flexibility for wiring and look unsightly on aluminum pontoons and party barges prized as much for their looks as they are for their purpose.
The uneven water and step-by-step, careful anchoring processes already pose challenges and risks for any boater – seasoned captains and novices alike – so why add even more havoc to the equation?
The idea for an innovative anchoring solution specifically for pontoons began in early 2019, during an E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co. (EAP) cross-country, mobile showroom tour to OEM factories in order to introduce the drum anchor winch anchoring system to boat builders. After several stops at pontoon manufacturing locations the same issue kept popping up:
“It was suggested by several top-level engineers we spoke to that the next desired feature was a hidden anchor system for pontoons,” said EAP President Aaron Knopp. “The current systems at the time were tripping hazards and took up unwanted space.”
After that, E-Z Anchor Puller began to engineer a solution to blend-in with the design of pontoons or triple pontoons by utilizing the boat’s structural integrity that resides in the welded cross members below, ultimately avoiding damage to the top deck by instead drilling into the strong, aluminum C/Z channel cross members to provide support that is not only discrete, but mechanically sound.
Ultimately, this solution also avoids the possibility of personal injury, boat damage or added clutter on-deck. Words like “carefully” or “slowly” and “raise the anchor as vertically as possible” found in anchoring “how to” articles across the Internet no longer apply: this different approach, the Pontoon Anchoring Solution, is one the company considers to be the first long-lasting solution that delivers quality performance and materials at an affordable cost.
“Any novice can [install] it,” said Don Snyder, the interviewed installer of E-Z Anchor Puller’s patent-pending invention’s introduction video. “...you get your C-clamps up, get your buddy to help you, lay that out...and that’s it.”
So how does this solution work and what do you need to get started? Use this guide to discover the best winch and solution style that fits your boating needs:
First, Choose Your Anchor Winch
There are three distinct drum anchor winch models customers can choose from to power their anchoring solution: the Hero EX-1, Hero EX-2 or Patriot EZ-1 direct drive anchor winches. No matter which unit you decide to install, the same patented motor, stainless steel drum and 7-year recreational warranty applies. The drum anchor winch is installed via a provided backing plate that is drilled to the pontoon/triple pontoon cross members.
Second, Choose Your Preferred Solution
“We offer two solution styles that can go below a pontoon or triple pontoon,” company VP Christy Funk says. “Choosing between the hinged-style and retractable-style solutions is more about what the boater prefers and is most comfortable anchoring with.”
Choose Hinged
The Hinged Pontoon Anchoring Solution operates via an upward-swinging bow roller that lifts and lowers the anchor. When boating or trailering, the hinged bow roller remains in an “upward” position, cradling the mushroom or river anchor vertically a few inches away from the bullnose. The sleeve of the hollow raceway immediately connected to the bow roller head should be installed directly on the edge of the bullnose. Therefore, from a distance, the bow roller should be seen “peeking out” from underneath the deck. At the opposite end of the raceway trailing toward the drum anchor winch installation, the space between the square tube raceway and winch installation should span 24 inches. Plan and measure in advance for trailering purposes.
Choose Retractable
The Retractable Pontoon Anchoring Solution’s raceway should be installed 10 to 12 inches away from the bullnose so the bow roller itself can be fully “hidden” underneath the pontoon skin (in contrast to the hinged solution, which should “peak out” at all times). This solution utilizes internal springs nestled in the square raceway, retracting both the bow roller and anchor completely below the deck. The mushroom/river anchor is held at a downward, 45 degree angle and remains hidden when fully retracted. Then, when it’s time to deploy, the bow roller head extends forward until it slightly protrudes from the bullnose.
For more information visit www.ezanchorpuller.com or call 800-800-1640.
