Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I was perusing the aisles of the local boat store when I saw an anchor winch. Apparently Minn Kota makes one called the Deckhand for up 40lb anchors. One version is especially made for pontoon boats. So, with vivid memories of dreading the back-wrenching activity of pulling up anchor stuck in a muddy bottom, this sounded like a lifesaver. Anyone have or use one of these and the pros and cons, please.

Can't help, our lake is too steep/deep for an anchor...we have 2 tho, just in case

Watched this video about the Minnkota DH40 (not the pontoon specific, but...meh). The only question/concern I would have would be this guy's recommendation of NON-use of anchor chain at the anchor. I've tried an anchor without chain and it didn't hold for crap due to "rope float".
Other than that, seems like it could do OK with a heavy enough anchor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yOtP1NjNzQ

I have zero experience with any type of windlass, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

I have one on my pontoon. With the rode that comes on the winch, as long as I let out plenty of line I have no problems with it holding. Sure beats trying to yank an anchor up by hand.
Edit to say I forgot. I use my boat in rivers and sounds as well as offshore. I don't anchor offshore only in the rivers and sounds.

I got the Deckhand 40 installed and running beautifully. I used an ExtremeMax 35lb river anchor (Amazon link below). The anchor shackle did not fit through the anchor eyelet, so I looped the chain through the eyelet and secured the end of the chain to the chain itself using the supplied anchor shackle. Note: There was not sufficient room on my bow deck to install the bracket which makes the Pontoon version easily removed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083F ... UTF8&psc=1

I know this is a late post, but any other opinions?
I had an old power winch on my 1970 pontoon, mushroom anchor.
Had a lot of trouble getting it to hold in virtually any wind, but with a heavier anchor or something better built for mud lakes I would really like one back.
Anyone happy campers with a minn-Kota? The one in the video looks super satisfying to watch operate, but I’d be hoping for something under deck mount so I don’t loose any precious floor space.

The only comment I would make is in Puto's picture, it appears he's using polypropylene anchor rope. That is not really meant for anchor rope. It floats and it doesn't wear well.

Here's a good article I found about anchor rope

https://www.ezanchorpuller.com/pages/bo ... rope-types

The line shown is on the drum of the winch when purchased. It is 100 ft. of 800 lb. test nylon and is only 1/4 to 3/8 in diameter. A friend has one on his boat and with a 30 lb. mushroom it deploys easily and retrieves very well. Planning on getting one for my tri-toon soon. Back and arms hurt from pulling anchor up all of the time.

Or buy a fortress anchor...they are aluminum, very light, and HOLD extremely well. I do not anchor in too deep of water so I use only 3 feet of heavy chain. Easy for my old ass.

Alright so I got my Minkota 40 installed.
After much consideration, I decided to do it this way for simplicity, eventually might get a quick detach for it because it WILL be a pita to restring.
The short wires that go to the electronics under the shroud made it rough to get back together in the little hole, then I just eyeballed where I want the rope to go, and bore’d it out with a hole saw after pilot drilling.

This way the anchor doesn’t look so out of place out front, and is still accessible to put the safety chain on. (The main reason I abandoned under-deck mount)
I still have to wire it in, but I want to put a little bigger wire and save a spot to power an inverter for cell phones, tube inflator, and whatever other 110ac components that might fly my way. Would also like to cut a vent hole with a small fan to lightly ventilate the space under the seats but I have no idea if it’s really necessary, just thought it might be a good idea when storing for winter or keeping everything dry.

That's a very interesting and unique install. Was the through-fence, under-seat install due to the lack of front deck space for the actual unit itself? I'm very interested to see how it works out for you. Good on you for coming up with a solution to your issue!

Precisely. And I didn’t want to tie up a corner in the event a person wants to stand on the corner and fish.
This way the winch is protected and will stay dry, never get rained on ect.

Hi everybody, here's a blast from the past...
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16044&hilit=cleatus#p131359

Still using the Trac power anchor after all these years, had to replace the wireless module once. That model Trac has a heavier frame and davit, the newer ones are a bit flimsy.

keep on toonin!

cleatus

Great update Cleatus, thank you for finding the thread and taking the time to post. Between this thread and yours, there is a lot of good info about anchor winches on pontoons here