Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'm looking to mount an anchor winch to the rear of my pontoon. I do a lot of fishing from an anchored position and find it easier to set lines, play and land fish from the front deck. Pontoon is used on a river with good current so anchoring from the rear works best. The rear has two small 2 1/2ft by 2 1/2 foot decks, one on each side of the motor and at floor height. Gas tank on one, battery on the other. I need the anchor winch to be hight enough so that if the anchor becomes stuck I can get to the rope. Would an elevated rack of some type, over the battery, be a viable option?

Rule #1 of anchoring: Never anchor by the stern.

While the rule is primarily for square transom vessels, to prevent the stern from being dragged under and getting swamped, it also applies to pontoon boats, where the current acting against the flat rear of one pontoon log will pull that pontoon under, and can cause the boat to capsize. Especially if you are anchoring in "a river with good current".

Better to mount on the front and anchor from there.

If there was ever an exception to this rule I think the pontoon boat would be it. If the conditions are suitable I wouldn't worry too much about anchoring from the stern.

I've seen more than a few v-hulls get swamped on the bay and Delaware River from people using a stern anchor...would never do it myself, even with the 'toon. The currents up here coupled with the tidal shift is insane.

I've been anchoring from the rear of that pontoon for over two years and have never gave it a second thought. Anchoring front or back, couldn't tell the difference.