What is the Major Danger of Anchoring a Fishing Boat from the Stern?

For anyone looking to venture out into the world of boating safely, the top most asked question is what is the major danger of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern?

Every part of the vessel is designed with specific intent, so it’s vital that you gain a good understanding of the dangers of improperly anchoring the boat and how to do this properly. 

Here we’ve listed all the possible hazards of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern and how you can do so while avoiding all these risks.

What is the Major Danger of Anchoring a Fishing Boat from the Stern?

So, what is the major danger of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern? Well, anchoring your fishing boat from the stern presents multiple dangers that could ultimately result in capsizing your boat itself. 

Here are the top dangers of anchoring from the stern that you should be aware of. 

1. Stress to the Cabin Doors 

The cabin doors of your boat are extremely flat. This makes it susceptible to cause additional stress to the boat’s roof and the cabin collectively. 

Furthermore, if the water level rises beyond the stern, it will most likely end up in the cabin, which could prove to be a catalyst to capsizing the boat in the case it has heavy trolling motor batteries.

This could turn a fun venture into a life-threatening experience!

2. Additional Resistance 

To combat approaching wind and assist in creating less resistance, the bow is designed with pointed sharp ends.

Therefore, anchoring the bass boat from the stern will enable additional resistance, whereas the wind will amplify the strain.

3. Damage to Mechanical Parts

The mechanical parts installed at the stern are responsible for moving the water towards the stern. If strong currents are in the opposite direction, they could completely ruin the mechanical parts. 

An example would be the rudder pushed in the opposite direction instead of it aligning naturally. If it’s forced in the opposing direction, the rudder might break or even break the hull as a whole. 

The anchoring line can also end up being entangled with the propeller. This can damage the hull, or even end up cutting the anchor line. If this happens, you’ll end up losing your anchor.

4. Incapability to Adjust 

When you anchor your boat directly from the stern, you may face difficulty in adjusting the direction of the boat.

Additionally, the flat shape of the stern makes it even more difficult to adjust when the wind and water change directions. 

5. Risk of Capsizing the Boat 

Ultimately, by anchoring the boat from the stern, you are at significant risk of capsizing your pontoon fishing boat. The flat shape of the stern makes it unable to lift the waves, which could lead to it breaking and filling the back with water. 

Anchoring the Fishing Boat Properly

• Be mindful when choosing the area where you anchor your boat. Ideally, the area should be roomy, protected, and at a suitable depth where the bottom is sandy or muddy. 
• Carefully and slowly adjust your direction towards the desired current and wind by positioning up the current or upwind. This helps to guide the boat in the desired direction and transition to that area. 
• Once you reach the desired position, slow down and stop the boat completely and slowly transcend the anchor towards the bottom. Avoid anchoring the boat from the stern itself.
• Carefully back the boat and let out the anchor line nearly 10 times the depth of the area in which you’re anchoring. This amount is also dependent on the wind direction. 
• Slowly start to turn the boat. You’ll need to pull out roughly eight to ten times the length of the anchor line compared to the depth of the water.
• Then proceed to tie the anchored line to the cleat and pull to make sure the anchor has completely set.
• Once you’re done anchoring the boat, look for objects around to remember the place and the position of your boat. Keep vigilant checks on the boat ensure that the boat is adequately anchored and is not dragging across. 
• Instead of knots on the anchor line, we recommend opting for splices as knots tend to weaken the anchor line itself quickly. 

Tips for Properly Anchoring the Boat

• Use proper types of anchors such as Mushroom, Danforth, or Plow.
• Fasten around 4 to 7 feet of roused chain to the boat’s anchoring point. This will act as a guard for the anchor from scrapes of rock, sand, and mud.
• Choose an area to anchor that provides your boat shelter from currents, boat traffic, and wind.
• Always define the depth prior to anchoring and the type of bottom, which needs to be sandy or muddy.
• Correctly calculate the quantity of anchor line required. Generally, you need around 5 to 7 times the area depth you’re anchoring. However, these are the minimum requirements, and we recommend having 8 to 10 times the amount at least to anchor correctly. 
• Never abruptly throw the anchor towards the bottom. Instead, slowly anchor it downwards in the direction of the bottom to prevent tangling and damaging the anchor itself. 
• Once your anchor is in place, always look with the references to confirm that the boat is not moving from the position. This will help to ensure that the anchoring is done correctly.
• And lastly, for the umpteenth time, please don’t anchor from the stern itself due to all the dangers this action bears. 

Conclusion

Understanding what is the major danger of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern is crucial to prepare for your boating venture safely. 

By following the guide properly, we can guarantee a safe experience for you, and anchoring the boat will never be a problem again. Happy boating!