If you don’t want to drift away from a pleasant spot on the water, the best thing to do is to drop an anchor with the right amount of holding power. Safely moored from the current, wind, and waves, you can enjoy a tranquil afternoon swimming with your family or fishing with your buddies. We’ve gathered a list of 10 great anchor options for pontoon and deck boat owners so you can set your anchor and stay put until the fish stop biting and the picnic is over.
AugHog
The AugAnchor from AugHog is an easy-to-use shallow water anchor system that will hold your pontoon, deck boat or PWC in place. These beach sand anchors are great for hanging out with your friends on the sand bar while your boat stays exactly where you put it.
To properly secure your boat you’ll need one anchor at each end. Setting the anchor is as simple as turning the auger-style anchor until it is secure in the sand. Once in, you won’t have to worry about your ‘toon getting away from you.
The augers are American-made from military-grade composite material with stainless steel fasteners. Available in 4- and 5-foot sets, each set comes with two AugAnchors and a floating handle. Ideal for boats under 28 feet in length, the AugAnchor features a drainage channel, an anchor head to tie your lines to, and a floating design so you don’t lose the handle. (www.aughog.com)
Cat River Anchors
Cat River Anchors was originally founded in 2011 after two South Dakota catfish anglers struggled to find an anchor that would hold safely and release when hung up in debris. Now a division of MondoOutdoors, the American-based company manufactures high-quality products for the fishing and boating industries.
Built with a patented release system, Cat River Anchors are designed to set fast and hold your boat securely. In addition, they are easy to retrieve. Each anchor has a strong chain attached to the fluke at the end of the shaft. The chain is then attached to the opposite end of the shaft with a sturdy zip tie. When retrieving a stuck anchor, a hardy tug on the anchor will snap the zip tie and pull the chain to the fluke end, allowing the anchor to be pulled backward out of the snag.
To adjust, simply position the anchor on the ground, brace your foot on a fluke, and adjust using the center bar. Anchor HD flukes are welded in place at the ideal angle for holding in most conditions.
Cat River’s 20-pound anchors are ideal for pontoons and come in three variations. The standard 20-pound anchor, the stowable 20-pound anchor that can be separated into two pieces for convenient storage, and the heavy-duty 20-pound anchor that has gussets between the flukes and the shaft for added strength. Pair your Cat River Anchor with a specially-designed anchor rod made from 100 percent polypropylene, which has zero stretch and does not absorb as much water as a nylon rope. (www.mondocat.com)
Fortress Marine Fluke Anchor
Built for strength, holding power, and durability, all Fortress Marine anchors are proudly manufactured in the USA. Made from high-tensile, corrosion-resistant aluminum-magnesium alloy, Fortress anchors are incredibly strong yet up to 50 percent lighter than steel anchors. You get the holding power you need without the extra weight on board.
Designed to set faster and hold stronger in a variety of seabeds, they’ll keep you secure no matter the conditions. Rigorously tested and proven in a myriad of settings, they have serious holding power whether in sand, mud, or gravel.
Fortress anchors feature an adjustable fluke angle for optimal performance in different seabeds – from soft mud to hard sand – giving you the most reliable hold wherever you drop anchor. Lightweight and easy to disassemble, the anchors are designed for convenience and are ideal for anyone looking to maximize space without sacrificing performance. To get the right hold, the fluke angles are adjustable to 32 degrees for normal sea bottoms or 45 degrees for muddy bottoms
With a lifetime parts replacement warranty, Fortress anchors are built to last and remain dependable. The FX-7 4-pound anchor is recommended for boats 16 to 27 feet long or the FX-11 7-pound anchor for boats 28 to 32 feet long. (www.fortressanchors.com)
Richter Anchor From Greenfield Products
Nearly 30 years after its introduction, the Richter Anchor by Greenfield Products remains an effective solution to the unique challenges of anchoring pontoon and deck boats. While variables like wind, load and current can create complex challenges for any craft, the flat silhouettes, shallow-drafts and comparatively light weight of deck boats make them more susceptible to the elements.
Before the Richter Anchor, deck boat owners typically relied on standard fluke-type or large model river anchors. The Richter design combines the best key attributes of both styles to deliver fast, secure sets in nearly any bottom conditions. Its shorter rode, needing only 3:1 scope, improves control and limits potential swing, while its angular stance positions the flukes to penetrate quickly, driven deeper by the weight of its cast core.
The setting and holding performance of the Richter Anchor is matched only by its ingenious slip-ring retrieval mechanism, which incorporates a unique, notched slide-bar. By reversing the boat over anchor, the sliding ring engages the notch, so it is pulled from behind, allowing seamless retrieval from deep-sets or bottom structure. (www.greenfieldproducts.com)
Lewmar Galvanized Steel Delta Anchor
With a low center of gravity and self-righting geometry, Lewmar’s Delta anchor sets immediately and is consistent and reliable in performance. The Delta anchor has been awarded Lloyd's Register General Approval of an anchor design as a high holding power anchor and is specified as the primary anchor used by numerous National Lifeboat organizations.
The one-piece construction of the Lewmar galvanized Delta anchor is easy to handle and store while giving boat owners a top-performing, self-launching anchor made from a high-grade manganese steel construction. The heavy ballast in the toe section makes sure it will engage the seabed when hitting the bottom and set immediately. The lead ballast within the tip of the anchor helps to achieve the perfect center of gravity for the initial bite and holding reliability, while the narrow cross-section shank allows for deep penetration for a solid hold.
All Delta anchors are guaranteed for life against breakage, and are also available in premium grade Duplex/High Tensile stainless steel. Weighing 14 pounds, the Delta anchor is intended for boats 21 to 31 feet long, with a recommended chain size of a quarter-inch. (www.lewmar.com)
Lewmar Galvanized Steel Claw Anchor
Lewmar’s galvanized claw anchor features a solid, one-piece construction and a durable galvanized finish for lasting durability. The Bruce-style claw sets quickly and resets after veering, giving you peace of mind knowing your anchor will stay in place wherever you drop it.
Designed after the anchors used to secure oil rigs in the North Sea, the claw anchor sets quickly and performs well in a variety of seabeds. Functioning especially well in rocky and weedy bottoms, this anchor stands with three separate flukes in a curved design which are ideal for catching on rocks or a tangle of weeds. The durable and dependable claw anchor is a consistently popular choice among boaters.
Featuring a galvanized finish for lasting durability, the claw anchor is compatible with the bow roller for convenient storage. Weighing 11 pounds, the galvanized claw anchor is intended for boats 21 to 27 feet long. (www.lewmar.com)
Lone Star REC Anchor
The all-new REC (river, estuary, combination) anchors by Lone Star Marine are specifically made for inshore use and pair perfectly with Lone Star’s GX1-P pontoon and deck boat anchor winch. These anchors hold unique advantages over similar styles on the market: because they cannot sit flat, as soon as they hit the bottom they are on their side and ready to dig in. The cupped design gathers more substrate and balances the weight along the leading edge. Three holes in the base allow for sediment to pass through as the anchor is being retrieved.
Lone Star REC anchors are available in 15-, 25-, and 40-pound options and can accommodate boats up to 35 or more feet in length. The REC anchor is available in both hot dipped galvanized and 316 stainless steel. (www.lonestarwinches.com)
Mantus M1 Anchor
Designed to penetrate dense, grassy bottoms and set with unparalleled holding power, the Mantus M1 Anchor digs in like no other. Whether you are a long-range cruiser, racing, or going out for a day on the lake, the Mantus quick-set anchor is both easy to use and stowable. Since the anchor breaks down for easy storage, you can store one or two as spares without needing to take up much boat space.
Built strong, all anchors in Mantus Marine’s lineup are formed of high-quality steel plates and contain no cast parts. The shank and shank boot are welded from top and bottom and the shank and roll bar are bolted to the fluke with oversized ASTM certified steel bolts. Exceeding safety regulations, the shank is attached to the fluke with four bolts, although a single bolt has sufficient strength to handle the maximum expected load on the anchor.
Mantus’ stainless steel anchors feature a 2205 Duplex shank and 316 stainless steel fluke. The surface is hardened by shot-peening and then electro-polished to provide maximum corrosion resistance. In the carbon steel version, every part of the anchor system is hot-dip galvanized for corrosion protection. The sharp-headed nose is precision-machined for the perfect chisel shape to achieve maximum penetrating power. (www.mantusmarine.com)
Minn Kota DeckHand DH 40
The DeckHand 40 allows anglers or boaters to deploy their anchor of choice at the touch of a button. Pre-spooled with 100 feet of 800-pound test nylon rope, the DeckHand 40 has a 40-pound anchor capacity and eliminates all the hassle of throwing and retrieving an anchor by hand. The DH 40 allows easy swapping between anchors with a built-in anchor shackle and a special anti-drag system that senses the bottom to allow for controlled drifting. Packed with many great features and the ability to mount to a variety of boats, the DeckHand 40 is a must-have for your next vessel.
Designed to work with anchors weighing at least 20 pounds and not more than 40 pounds, the DH 40 is a convenient addition to any anchoring setup and runs on a 12-volt battery. Let the DH 40 do all the work of raising and lowering your anchor with convenient automation.
The stow and deploy switch is integrated into the base of the unit, and is compatible with the DeckHand 40 Remote Switch, which is sold separately. Designed for use in freshwater, the DH 40 takes the toil out of anchoring. (www.minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com)
Deckmate Box Anchor From Pontoon Stuff
Square in shape, the Deckmate Box Anchor from Pontoon Stuff has eight angled flukes with four per side and two each at front and back. This design offers several benefits and is user-friendly for boaters of all experience levels. The square shape provides holding power by maximizing the surface area of contact with the seabed. For compact storage, the anchor easily folds flat when not in use. Best of all, the Deckmate Box Anchor sets itself almost immediately once in the water and can adjust its position during wind or current changes.
Weighing 23 pounds, the Deckmate Box Anchor is almost double the weight of the competition, making it easy for you to drop anchor and enjoy a calm afternoon at the lake. Other features include a polished finish that will look good for years to come, and an included shackle and rope. No chain is necessary for the anchor, and less rope is needed to hold your boat than with a traditional anchor. (www.pontoonstuff.com)
