The word Pontoon is derived from the Latin pontonem,which means “flat-bottomed boat,” and its root pons, or “bridge.”A pontoon is a type of flat boat that floats with the help of tubes that are hollow, also called pontoons.They are one of the most popular type of boats in the market because of their design and expansive and spacious deck which is capable of accommodating large groups of people. The feature that marks a pontoon different, or pontoon boat, is the use of airtight cylinders to keep it buoyant. Sometimes pontoons are also used to support bridges and docks.The unique design of these pontoons make them highly buoyant. Anchoring these boats is a very difficult task because of the unique design, in order to protect them from drifting away in danger. The hollow tubes which keep it afloat make it difficult to anchor them down. So it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of how to anchor a pontoon properly before venturing into the sea.
Steps of anchoring a pontoon boat properly:
Anchoring a pontoon boat comprises some important steps that are as follows:
– Selecting the right anchor_ As these boat have spacious decks so they carry a wide number of passenger and thereby carry a lot of wight. Due to this it becomes very important to determine the correct type of anchor to hold these boats. Some pontoons come with factory fitted anchors, but they are inefficient in holding the boat in place. So the primary step is choosing the right anchor for your pontoon. For it some things must be kept in mind, which include, the body of water you are sailing in, and the bottom in which the anchor should be placed. These will help determine the proper anchor for your boat.
– Choosing the right position_ Selecting the right position for anchoring your pontoon is yet another important factor. See where your boat is standing, wether the bottom is rocky,muddy or sandy, wether it is having any obstructios or not. It will help you determine the penetrating power of your anchor and will help you properly anchor your pontoon.
– Lowering the anchor_ After choosing the right position and right anchor for your pontoon,now comes the step to slowly release it. Allow your pontoon to slowly sink it and avoid throwing it as it will increase the chances of entangling.
– Checking/ Ensuring that anchor has dug in_ The final step is confirming that your anchor has dug in, it is in place and secure. This would be done by putting the boat in gear and then back to neutral. If the boat starts to drift, it means that the anchor is not properly dug in, but if it stops moving then your anchor is in position.
Conclusion:
Simply, anchoring your pontoons properly is an essential task to ensure a secure holding position and safe vovaye while venturing into the sea.It would be possible by following the above mentioned steps.While the process is very simple and straightforward, following proper safety precautions is always necessary.