I'm thinking about a bow mount anchor for my 17 Don hill mainly because I want to run a small outboard on the transom from time to time when I fish deep river and such. Being a drift boat rookie I know nothing about the pros and cons of bow vs transom anchors any thoughts would be great!

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Hey i just posted the same question in my post.  I have a wide square end dory that i woul like a motor on too and want to put the anchor on the bow?  Or a long arm anchor off a corner form the back to extend out towards the middle of the back of the boat. But then the motor would be in the way, or drag sideways.  Hmmm....  So many choices. 

Hey Terry,

I would not use a bow mount for rivers, the boat will swing around when anchored. I used to use a motor on my drift boat with a Bo's anchor system (through transom pulleys). The motor cleared the pulleys no problem I just had to be careful when dropping the anchor so it wouldn't hit the lower unit.

Alternately you can use Dierks corner mount anchor arm.

As for your boat Jeremiah you could use a bow mount on your boat because it goes down the river with the bow upstream.

Mike

test test wow that is such a simple idea it is almost so simple its ridiculous I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner type of idea that will work perfect with all the components that I have you'd be amazed what you can find at a consignment store for sailboat parts and Washington next to the ocean that'll work even better if I mount a motor on it if I get to stuck im already pointed upstream thanks Mike have a good one

I'm planning on putting anchor mounts on both the bow & transom for big & little water. If you dropped both anchors to keep from swinging are you more likely to get swamped? 

What kind of current speed are you trying to stop in? Are you stopping and then getting out to fish or anchoring and fishing?

Rick N

West Michigan rivers so maybe 2500 or 3000 cfs tops. Would do both - stop & get out as well as anchor & fish out of the boat. After thinking about it some more, I have a 12# pyramid anchor for a personal pontoon boat that may be perfect for the back anchor. If the boat really tipped a lot, it would just lift that off the bottom & not swamp the boat. At least it sounds good on paper.  

There was a recent discussion on anchors that might be helpful as to size and style of anchors. When I anchor my boat the boat is held in the current and the tension holds it in place. as the current moves past the boat the boat responds to the current as it varies in strength, pushing unevenly on the sides. If I let out enough rope the amount of movement is reduced.

I am trying to thin about how you will place a second anchor and have tension on both of them. If you were able to drop an anchor from the stern and let out the rope I understand how water pressure will push against the boat. What I can not picture is how you will drop a second anchor, especially if you drop from the downstream end of the boat. It would seem that it is heavy enough to drop straight down it might work. If it sweeps under the boat I don't see how it will stabilize your boat.

I have never witnessed anyone try the experiment. On a lake it is a great idea especially when you want to reduce the swinging from wind.

Rick N

Terry:

Dierks in Medford, Oregon makes a nice removable bow mount anchor release.  I have one on my boat and have attached a picture. Here's a link to Dierks website: http://www.dierksanchors.com/ourstory.html

I use the bow mount when I configure my boat for spring Chinook fishing on the lower Willamette and the Multnomah Channel.  I use a sea anchor to reduce swing at anchor and also to reduce trolling speed.

One of the neat things about a drift boat for fishing is it versatility.  I can easily convert back to regular drift boat mode for trout fishing on smaller rivers (using a transom anchor arrangement with a Bo's foot release) and I use an electric motor for lake fishing (transom and bow mount anchors).

So, lots of choices.  Bill

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Bill that's an awesome set up!!! That exactly what I want. Great looking boat what size/design is it? Is that an 8hp? How does it do? Sorry for all the questions it's just that's exactly how I wanna rig mine up

Terry:

My boat is 14 ft. at the centerline, 16 ft. around the gunwales.  It was built by Keith Steele years ago.  I believe they are still being built by son Steve Steele in Lebanon, Oregon.

The motor is a 4 hp. long-shaft Yamaha and has plenty of power to go upstream, and, even at idle, still needs the sea anchor to achieve a really slow trolling speed.

My 50 pound thrust Minn Kota electric works better for trolling, but does not have enough power for use on a big river.  Best for big rivers would be both the Minn Kota (for trolling) and the Yamaha (for power) on the same transom, but my boat's too small to handle two motors, so I alternate, depending on the conditions.

Let me know if you have more questions, I'm happy to help if I can.

Bill

I have seen both anchors used when fishing on the rivers, the downstream anchor is mainly just to reduce swing and being swung around by the wind or current if in a big pool.

I tried putting a small electric trolling motor off the side like a sailboat but as soon as you try to back down the speed  or stop the boat wants to spin. probably works much better on a boat with a keel.

I have turned my electric motor around because I get more thrust that way and just go everywhere motor first, like backtrolling only faster. this seems to take work great since the bottom is designed for the small transom to be upstream.

I like that idea for two anchors, will have to look into that bow system.

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