Sandbar anchor recommendations

[MJC]

Hey all! New pontoon boater on Lake Winni this summer. Have read several posts about various sandbar options around the lake. Since we will be in the Meredith / Gilford side of the lake, I've read about Silver Sands, Paugus Bay, and Governors Island bridge as destination spots.

For anchoring, what is best? Two actual anchors on a rope or 2 screw-in style anchors? I presume the screw in style would work if its a shallow sandbar.

Appreciate any feedback!

[thinkxingu]

Welcome to the lake!

We've got a 20' pontoon and use 8lb. Mantus anchors—one on the bow when anchored out in calm coves, one each for bow and stern when at sandbars.

Screw-in anchors "may" work when the conditions are really calm, but most every sandbar on the lake will have wave action either from winds or boat activity, so we just skipped to the chase (after a LOT of trial and error). The last thing you want to have to do while "relaxing" at a sandbar is to manage your vessel. Once the Mantus anchors are set, we're done for the day.

The two other benefits are 1. You never have to get in the water or off your boat, and 2. Those two will work everywhere you go on the lake, in any condition.

If much larger than 20', you could look at 13lb. for the bow, but I'd think the 8lb. should serve for the stern up to 30'.

There are three other anchors people have routinely recommended and had good luck with: Fortress, which is a higher-end Danforth style; Digger, which is a collapsible style; and box anchors.

I have not used any of those since the Mantus solution has worked every single time.

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[MJC]

Thank you! I will look those up. We have a 20' pontoon as well.

[fatlazyless]

The east side of Timber Island opposite Mark Island attracts boaters who drop anchor and walk around the two to three to four to five feet water depth, soft sandy lake floor, over there. Timber Island is 135-acres, mostly undeveloped, posted no trespassing private property, forested wood land with large old trees so the lack of waterfront homes makes it better for boaters to drop anchor in the shallow water. So many boats look'n for someplace to chill out?

Walmart-Gilford has a $38.43, 15-lb tri-fluke anchor coated with thick black vinyl that looks like it will totally secure the Mount Washington 230' ship to a sandy, muddy or rocky lake floor.

Just don't forget to tie the line to the anchor before tossing it overboard ........ anchors away!

[Meredith AK]

1) get there early to set up; when you get there with too many boats already there, although people will help you, it can be a little nerve-wracking squeezing in or you end up in deeper water.
2) tie a fender/bumper on the shallow anchor to give folks walking in the water a heads-up so they don't step on it.
3) I find turning the pontoon away from shore, drop the bow anchor and slowly back up until it digs in works best.
4) for your stern anchor, nothing beats walking it out in the water and digging it in manually. Piece of mind that it's secure

Hope this helps.

[mofn]

In waist deep screw in! My 24’ w/ a ten-foot top that’s a sail! You can’t be lazy you need to put them in deep, zero issues!
Four years ago??? Heavy winds broke the rope screw stayed in.
Deep water… Fortress…I do not have one, I see other peoples they are nice, light but expensive! There is a knockoff of them half the price but I cannot remember the name?

[MJC]

Originally Posted by Meredith AK

1) get there early to set up; when you get there with too many boats already there, although people will help you, it can be a little nerve-wracking squeezing in or you end up in deeper water.
2) tie a fender/bumper on the shallow anchor to give folks walking in the water a heads-up so they don't step on it.
3) I find turning the pontoon away from shore, drop the bow anchor and slowly back up until it digs in works best.
4) for your stern anchor, nothing beats walking it out in the water and digging it in manually. Piece of mind that it's secure

Hope this helps.

Thanks! The tip about the fender bumper for anchor visibility is good! Hadn't thought of that.

[MJC]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

The east side of Timber Island opposite Mark Island attracts boaters who drop anchor and walk around the two to three to four to five feet water depth, soft sandy lake floor, over there. Timber Island is 135-acres, mostly undeveloped, posted no trespassing private property, forested wood land with large old trees so the lack of waterfront homes makes it better for boaters to drop anchor in the shallow water. So many boats look'n for someplace to chill out?

Walmart-Gilford has a $38.43, 15-lb tri-fluke anchor coated with thick black vinyl that looks like it will totally secure the Mount Washington 230' ship to a sandy, muddy or rocky lake floor.

Just don't forget to tie the line to the anchor before tossing it overboard ........ anchors away!

Thanks! Will check that out too!

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by MJC

Thanks! Will check that out too!

Do NOT check that anchor out—it's almost certainly a Seachoice slip-ring, which is absolutely worthless beyond recycling.

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[fatlazyless]

Besides the 15-lb tri-fluke anchor, Walmart-Gilford also has a 15-lb navy style anchor coated with black vinyl. Is what is used on 560' long Navy submarines!

Just be sure to tie the line to the anchor before you toss it overboard ...... anchors away! ........