What size and type anchor for a 20' pontoon boat located on a lake with many bottom obstructions?

The mushroom anchors I have just don't seem to do the trick in windy conditions.Also what is the rule of thumb for how much anchor line to use? What type of anchors require a chain?What size and type anchor for a 20' pontoon boat located on a lake with many bottom obstructions?
Still nothing beats a standard Danforth anchor for hold on most varieties of bottoms. You can use a modified version in 7 lbs. Typical line is a combo of chain and rope. The chain should be at least the length of the boat and I'd carry at least 100' of 3/8" rope tied to the chain. For windy conditions you should be using a minimum of 5 to 1 scope. That means in windy conditions you'd have just enough rode for 20' depth of water with 5 to 1 scope on the lake and not have to worry about breaking anchorage.
your pontoon boat has a lot of windage especially if it has a top on it. there are several types of anchors that will do a better job of anchoring your pontoon. my preference would be a 4.4 lb bruce style anchor, its an great all around anchor that sets fast and resets if it breaks loose. the flukes are much stronger than a danforth, so they a less likely to get bent if the anchor is hung up on tree limbs. this style has a hole in the front of the anchor that allows a trip line to be attached for easy retrieval.



the most popular anchor is the danforth for your boat a 8S or 5H is the proper size. Danforth anchors are easy to stow and will do a good job of anchoring your boat but can be hard to retrieve if they get hung up on trees etc.(voice of experience).



along with the proper size anchor you will also need chain and line. it is recommended that you have at least 6' of 3/16" chain (more is better) and 3/8" line. for windy conditions a 7:1 scope will give you 70% holding power. for 20' of water depth, 6' to 12' of chain and at least 150' of nylon rope.



for an anchor to work, pull to the site you want to anchor in, slowly drop the anchor, chain and line over the side of the boat (keep the other end of the line tied to the boat), allow the line to play out until proper scope has been reached, and then set the anchor by pulling hard on the anchor line or backing against the anchor line until it holds.



hope this helpsWhat size and type anchor for a 20' pontoon boat located on a lake with many bottom obstructions?
Minimum scope for that windage in fresh conditions is 5:1, 8:1 would be significantly more secure and 10:1 is not unreasonable either.



A simple additional lead plug run down the scope with a lighter line to a stainless ring until the weight is just on the bottom can greatly improve the holding of a short rode - it transfers the effort to your anchor pretty much horizontally for a start, and improves hold by a significant factor. This can be very useful in restricted anchorages, and saves getting a long rode hanging up on underwater snags as the boat sails from side to side with wind shifts etc.



Use chain the length of the boat minimum.



In Australia we us a SARCA anchor a lot - very effective on most bottoms, and I found you can get it back from an igneous gniess rock shelf in 22 metres!



http://www.anchorright.com.au/products/s鈥?/a>
you don't give the weight or windage of your boat, both are important. 20lb cqr or danforth, 10meters of chain 3/8ths link. put a trip to avoid losing your tackle ie thin strong cord tied to top of anchor shaft, above the flukes , enough cord for depth and put a buoy on the end. If the anchor fouls pull in on the trip line

amount of warp, forget the chain, thats additional security. 5 times depth of waterWhat size and type anchor for a 20' pontoon boat located on a lake with many bottom obstructions?
A danford still and connect the line to the from of the flukes with wire ties to the shank so all u do is run past the anchor and the wire ties break and the anchor comes up backwards and releases itself.
Try a 20lb river anchor.