Design your own Anchor System
If you’re like me, you like to take quicker floats and stop frequently while river fishing. Once I hook a couple of nice bass in the same spot I love to stop and get a lot more casts in. Some of the nicer inflatable pontoon boats feature excellent anchor systems already installed but my own didn’t. My inflatable pontoon included a light duty pulley, rope, and a mess bag that I ripped on my initially river float. I’m sure this might be fine for a pond or lake from where the water doesn’t move but on a river it simply doesn’t hold up.
Inflatable Pontoon
I’m preparing to offer you how I made an anchor system for my inflatable pontoon boat for approximately $30 using some things I picked up from my local hardware and sporting goods stores.
This is what you'll need:
• Rope Ratchet
• Two 3/8 inch Pulleys
• 25 feet of 3/8 inch Rope
• 3 Hose Clamps
• Kayak or float tube Anchor
The Rope Ratchet is a pulley that permits rope to be pulled through it one way but not in the other. It is customarily used to tie things down or pull things up. It possesses a release switch that will free it up allowing for the rope to go in both directions. You push the release to lower your anchor and let off of it to lock the rope as the anchor hits the bottom.
Initially you must find an area to mount the Rope Ratchet at the front of your inflatable pontoon boat. It will need to be out of the way however in a location where you can reach it effortlessly. I choose to position mine at the end of the right foot rest on my inflatable pontoon. I made use of hose clamps to secure the Rope Ratchet in position. My boat is beginning to exhibit wear and tear and I am more focused on function than overall look. If you would like a nicer look you can drill your tubing and secure it using a bolt or use some type of tubing clamp from a sail boat supplier. Should you drill your frame look for a spot that doesn’t support a lot of weight since it will weaken it.
Next, you'll want to mount your rear pulley. Here is the point that most of the strain will undoubtedly be on while your boat is anchored so choose a strong spot. I choose to mount mine around the center of the rear rail of my frame. My inflatable pontoon boat already had an eye bolt there for the other system that came with it so I just installed a bigger pulley on it. Now it’s the perfect time to mount your next pulley. To get the best spot for it thread your rope through the first pulley you've got mounted, through the second pulley, and at last through the Rope Ratchet. Try to find an area on your frame where one can mount the pulley so that your rope won't hang on anything. If it rubs the frame in a spot or two that might be fine so long as it doesn’t hang on something. You'll be able to mount it by using a hose clamp also or any method of your choosing. The last thing to accomplish would be to tie your anchor on and you are ready for some river fishing!
Inflatable Pontoon Boats