Electric Anchor

[wiltoole]

I just purchased a 2016 Bennington 20' SS with a Yamaha 90 4 Stroke. With all my years of boating and all the various type boats I've owned over the years, I have never had an electric anchor. I'm thinking about adding one to my new pontoon but I have a question. Often times, my anchor will get caught on an object and I can't pull it up. I end up moving the pontoon around to the opposite side so I can pull from that direction and that maneuver usually frees the anchor. Question is, how much of that type problem do you have with an electric anchor and do you resolve it using the same method? Thanks

[LittleRiver]

I'm coastal so never get stuck. All sand bottom just like walking on the beach. Best money you will spend on the boat. If you have not ordered it do it.

Get the remote switch you can add to your dash. Not hard to run it up under the boat.
You can raise and lower your anchor from the captians seat.
Ain't nothing wrong with going first class. LOL

[ralph]

The rope looks to be about a 1/4". If so, do you think it is robust enough to use for an anchor? I use a 3/8" for my 20" Sweetwater. I always wondered that.

[BoatCop]

The anchor windlass set up comes with 100 feet of under 1/4 inch line (5 mm/.20") If you had to unsnag the anchor with any force, the line would snap. Unless you're anchoring at depth, you could probably replace it with 65' of 3/8" or even 50' of 1/2 inch.

[ralph]

Thanks BoatCop. I didn't realize it would accept an large diameter rope. I learned something new today so now I can curl up the in fetal position for the rest of the day and night waiting for spring.

[Capt Sully]

I also have the Trac 35. Works great and comes with a remote control. Depends on where you boat as to what anchor, I boat mostly in a lake and anchor in coves, not deep at all, maybe 20 / 30 feet. I use a 20lb mushroom anchor with rope supplied have had no problems.

Trac 35.jpg (111.19 KiB) Viewed 4181 times

[wickerbill]

I've got 2 Minn-Kotas on mine...front and rear. I got it hung up once but was able to lift it using the winch....I was shocked that it had pulled up about a 3" branch about 20' long from the bottom using the 3/16" rope. Made a believer out of me. Other than that I've never had a problem...great for fishing. Mine are wired to the console so I can drop from the helm. There's also a switch on the winch itself should you need to run them up and down after cleaning off if they become fouled by weeds etc. I love mine...some of the best money I've spent on a boat.

The key is to letting out enough rode to hold the boat in place. Biggest mistake people make is to drop it straight down only to have the anchor give in the current or the wind.

[wiltoole]

I really appreciate the replies to my elec anchor question. I have a boat slip at Lake Wallenpaupack in PA and it is the largest man made lake in the state..... 52 miles of shoreline. A damn was built by the electric company to generate electricity and the lake is a great source of enjoyment to the public. Because it is man mande, the valley that was flooded contained country roads, trees and typical country scenery. That's the problem, trees, branches, etc make the use of a fluke type anchor necessary as there is not much sand for use of a mushroom anchor. As I get older, arthritis and bad back make it more and more difficult and if I get hung up, I'm not sure I can bend down far enough to grab the rope by hand and work it. Quandry! Guess I should hold off and s peak to some of the pontoon owners I see who have them. Thanks again for all the input.

[wiltoole]

I decided to not purchase an anchor buddy but as faith would have it, I located a guy with a brand new Minn Kota 25 lb anchor buddy......... never used, still in the original box, line included but not the anchor for a cost of $100. Could not pass it up. Is not a remote but I can ad one if I decide there is a need.