Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Had the (new to me) tracker out yesterday for the first time. All was going great until we decided to drop anchor. Boat is a 21' tracker, therefore no front deck outside the rails. Actually, no deck anywhere outside the playpen. How and where are you supposed to tie off an anchor. Anyone have a modification that I can install to tie off to? Side cleats (u-bolts) are to far down to reach over the front seats. Maybe a plate under to the frame?

I got some excellent info on May 10 post to this forum.

Guess maybe I didn't get my point across. After having some 15 or 20 boats over my life span, I have a pretty good knowledge of the how and whys of anchoring. size of anchor, length of rode ( 4 times the depth) chain, safety wiring clevises and the such. BUT. I don't have anywhere to tie the dang line to the boat. The eye is 1-1/2 feet behind the bow. There are no cleats. Don't think the rails are going to hold. Surely someone out there has a 21 foot Tracker that has run into the same thing. My question is "How did you overcome the problem?" Or.....maybe there is something in the owners manual, which I don't have, that says "This craft not to be anchored".

MY PC had no bow cleats...I added 2 off them as one of the first mods to my boat...

I have a 21' Sun Tracker with the same configuration. The "U" bolts are not strong enough to tie-off an anchor, one of mine began to fail within six months. I believe the "U" bolts allow too much leverage to ever hold an anchor over the long haul.

My first approach to anchoring was to install a cleat close to the bow door. You should have enough (3-4") flooring to mount a cleat of your choosing. Or you can mount it on the hinge side of the bow door where it won't be a tripping hazard. My door has 6" of clearance under the door.

Ultimately I became frustrated with wife and friends fussing over dropping anchor while I drove the 'toon. I spent $115 to purchase a powered anchor winch that also has a remote control. Now all I need is someone to attach the anchor and set it over the edge. I can drop it while holding the 'toon in position from the driver's seat.

I mounted my winch just inside the bow door and to the side. The guide pulley hangs about 3" over the edge of the floor. It is not perfect, but it works for us. If you are interested, let me know, and I will take some pictures next weekend. Good Luck!

Ray - could you post some pics ? Wanna do that to my PC.

I'll be down next weekend and will take some pics and post them. Have a great week all!

I too have a 21' fishin barge. Add me to the list of folks that would LOVE to see the pics.

Mine is a 94. Previous owner put in circle bolts on corners and two cleats on the sides.

First pic shows you not much rail, and you can barely see the eye bolts. Huge steel plate under deck with washers.
2nd Pic is a little distant but you get the ideal. My bow anchor is attached to Starboard side. Stern anchor attached to port side. This bow line port side in the pic is a "life line" for floating.

Hey jeffybear, it looks like we have the same 'toon, color and all.

My wife and I are both UD Flyers ('75). Where do you run your 'toon?

tracker2 wrote:Had the (new to me) tracker out yesterday for the first time. All was going great until we decided to drop anchor. Boat is a 21' tracker, therefore no front deck outside the rails. Actually, no deck anywhere outside the playpen. How and where are you supposed to tie off an anchor. Anyone have a modification that I can install to tie off to? Side cleats (u-bolts) are to far down to reach over the front seats. Maybe a plate under to the frame?

If you've got good access to the underside of the deck which is the case with most pontoon boats I'm thinking the installation of either a pull up or pop up cleat would be a viable solution for your anchoring problem. If installed properly and once snugged down into the carpet it should in essence be an asset to your boat without creating any real liability or real trip hazards.

Great idea bamby!

raylee wrote: I spent $115 to purchase a powered anchor winch that also has a remote control. Now all I need is someone to attach the anchor and set it over the edge. I can drop it while holding the 'toon in position from the driver's seat.

I mounted my winch just inside the bow door and to the side. The guide pulley hangs about 3" over the edge of the floor. It is not perfect, but it works for us. If you are interested, let me know, and I will take some pictures next weekend. Good Luck!

My toon had a similar setup from the previous owner...the difference was he mounted the winch under the starboard side seat, after cutting a 2 inch hole in the fence to run the anchor rode thru. A roller is bolted thru the deck to act as a fairlead to the winch and hold the anchor. It looked great, except it could not haul an anchor big enough to hold the barge in a current, so I removed it.
In the photo you can see the black opening and the roller just to the right of the docking light

If you've got good access to the underside of the deck which is the case with most pontoon boats I'm thinking the installation of either a pull up or pop up cleat would be a viable solution for your anchoring problem. If installed properly and once snugged down into the carpet it should in essence be an asset to your boat without creating any real liability or real trip hazards. [/quote]


There we go! Had not thought of a retractable cleat. May be just the ticket, thanks