Posted: September 16 2006 at 13:16 | IP Logged

I have a 1997 24' Aqua Patio pontoon with a 120 hp Force outboard.  I have a standard anchor and rope line (I believe the type of anchor  may be called a "Danforth".)  I have had a diffciult time in anchoring the pontoon in coves on the lake.  The anchor just doesn't seem to grab on any structure at the bottom.  Someone told me I should consider getting a "weight" anchor whioch should keep the pontoon in place.  Someone else who I respect said soemthing about getting a #10 or #13 Danforth with the proper chain and shackle.  (I don't know what a "shackle" is.)

Can you help me on this?

Thanks.

Posted: October 14 2006 at 12:44 | IP Logged

Danforth anchors are good for mud bottoms, so hopefully that is what you have.

You should add a length of chain between the anchor and the rode, perhaps 2 to 5 feet long depending upon anchor size to help keep the shank close to horizontal when set.  Shackles are a"U" shaped device with "eyes" at each end of the "U".  A bolt is used to close the shackle and a cotter pin in the thread end to keep the bolt from backing out.

Also remember that you need to have a scope of 2 to 3 to seat the anchor and to keep it seated.  In other words, if you want to anchor in water 20 feet deep you need to pay out 40 to 60 feet of anchor rope.  I interwove plastic marker flags in  my anchore rope to aid in paying out the line.  

Go to http://www.danforthanchors.com/