Today I wanted to share with you an excellent product that I have recently become aware of which is a great way to save not just deck space on your boat, but also keep troublesome anchor winches well out of your way and in a great location.
It’s called a pontoon anchor winch mount, and lets you place your anchor and winch outside of the boat’s deck so it’s not in the way – people won’t trip over your anchor, and you will save space on board.
The product is relatively simple to install, with some drilling required. But the key here is that you won’t be drilling holes into your deck, due to its position placement being outside the boat, over one of your rear tubes.
Handy Hint: You can also read my reviews of the best anchor winches if you are thinking about upgrading your current winch before you mount it.
Here are my two recommendations for the best pontoon anchor winch mount products with short reviews for each. I’ve seen the number 1 in action, but haven’t seen the 2nd recommendation, but number 2 does look bigger, more robust, and has a 2 year warranty (so could be worth the extra money you spend).
#1: The Pontoon Anchor Ledge
My best recommendation is the pontoon anchor ledge on Amazon. It’s sturdy, relatively simple to install in around 30 to 45 minutes, and slots just over your pontoon tubes under the deck, to the aft of your boat.
It’s strong too with a marine-grade aluminum construction and a powder coating that is salt water resistant.
The reasons to buy include:
- Not having enough space on your pontoon deck to fit your anchor winch
- Not wanting to drill holes into your actual deck
- Not wanting passengers to trip over anchors that are kept on board
- Not having to store your anchor away under a seat every time you raise it
I’ve actually reviewed this pontoon anchor mount in more detail having now seen it in action, and you can read that review here if you want even more detail on how it works and a full specification with features.
#2: Extreme Max Pontoon Anchor Winch Mount
There is an alternative pontoon anchor mount which is also available on Amazon, but it can be a little more expensive depending on where you shop. Take a look at the current Amazon prices on the Extreme Max.
I’ve not seen it being used in real-life, but it does have very good reviews online which is why I feel confident in recommending it in the list of the best winch mounts.
The online reviews are very similar in ratings to the number one recommendation I have, but given how similar the products are, I am not 100% sure if it’s worth spending the extra money.
In the photos it appears to be bigger than the pontoon anchor ledge, but unfortunately, the product description doesn’t show any dimensions.
This is a real shame, a I wanted to compare it in size to my number one recommendation above and offer something that might be a little bit bigger.
Bigger Mount Plate & 2 Year Warranty
But the fact they advertise it as being able to also hold grills makes me think that it will be bigger.
Handy Hint: If you are considering buying a pontoon grill, make sure you read the latest grill reviews.Â
Another reason to buy would be the 2 year warranty that it comes with. That’s a pretty good length, as many people are probably going to worry that over time the anchor winch mount will start to bend under heavy weights – having that 2 year warranty could be worth the extra spend alone.
If you do decide to buy, please do your due diligence, but initial observations is that it has a slighter larger plate than the ledge product so could work well with larger winches and anchors.
Where Do You Install Them?
In almost every single scenario where I have seen a pontoon anchor mount in use, it’s been fitted to the rear.
This is for a number of reasons, but mainly due to the fact that your tubes extend out further at the fore of your boat, so it would be almost impossible to fit the mounts and still be able to use your winch.
Installation is relatively simple, but you will need to bolt the pontoon anchor mount underneath your deck over one of the tubes at the rear. Those drill holes won’t be seen and will be out of the way, just as your anchor and winch will be.
There’s a great tutorial video available from the manufacturers of the pontoon anchor ledge which you can view below, showing you just how easy it is.
Questions & FAQs
What Pontoon Boats Do They Fit?
Both products advertise themselves as fitting all pontoon boats. However, they are only really going to work when fitted to the rear of the boat as I have already explained.
How Long Do They Take to Install?
If you watch the video above, and read the reviews, it states that it shouldn’t take you any longer that 30 to 45 minutes to get up and running successfully.
Do They Come with a Warranty?
The Extreme Max pontoon anchor mount is guaranteed for two years. I can find no warranty information on the ledge.
How Strong Are These Winch Mounts?
They should be able to handle any anchor and winch that you set on them. One of the people who has previously reviewed the Extreme Max anchor mount states that it should be able to handle an 80 pound weight.
(Header image credit unknown, photo found on a Facebook share)
