One of the reasons jon boats are so popular is their versatility. With a wide range of designs, sizes and configurations it is easy to find one that will meet your specific needs whether that be fishing, hunting or commercial applications. Regardless of what you use your jon boat for there is a good chance you need to deploy and retrieve the anchor on a regular basis, often many times per trip. If so, you may want to consider adding an anchor winch. Of course, with the many different jon boats available it is important to select the right anchor winch needed for your boat. Let us help you.
Why add an anchor winch?
Not everyone needs an anchor winch. Millions of small boat users deploy and retrieve their anchors regularly with nothing more than manpower- heaving and hauling while standing on the bow like the old man in the sea. But that doesn’t mean it is right for everyone. It also doesn’t mean it is the most efficient means available.
Reduce Injuries – anyone who have manually hauled an anchor over the side knows that sooner or later it takes a toll on your back. Adding a winch can greatly reduce or, depending on the style selected, eliminate physical strain or injury.
Greater Safety – deploying and retrieving the anchor is inherently dangerous. It requires standing and moving about your boat, and when talking jon boats that usually means limited space to begin with. There is also the potential injury your can suffer due to a pinched finger, strained muscle or even an ungainly fall overboard.
Better Control – mechanically controlling the anchor allows for more precious placement and reducing the chances an anchor will slip or swing, which could damage your hull.
Reduced Time Needed – raising and lowering an anchor mechanically means it will be not only easier, but also quicker.
Better Fishing/Hunting Experience – an often-overlooked benefit of an anchor winch is the ability to quickly and easily move locations when the action requires it. In the end this will make for a better overall experience.
Anchor Winch Considerations
As with most accessories there are many different anchor winches that will work with jon boats, including your specific design. However, not every design will work with every jon boat. It is vital that you select an anchor winch that will allows you to enjoy all its benefits on your boat. This means that you need to take a few key points into consideration before selecting the winch that may be a perfect fit for you, your needs and your jon boat.
Size of Your Boat – you need to select a model designed to be properly installed on and used with a boat of the specific length & weight of yours.
Size and Weight of the Anchor – the size of your boat and how you use it determines the size and weight of the anchor you will require. This will determine what model anchor winches you will be able to select from.
Rope or Chain – you will also need to take into account whether or not your specific anchor requires chain, rope of a combination of both. Some winches only work with one or the other and some are more versatile.
Power Supply – obviously, if you wish to install a power winch it will require a power supply either be already available or able to be installed. It is usually recommended that you select a model that utilizes the same voltage as other accessories already installed, even if you will be installing dedicated power sources. Doing so will allows either power sources to be used in an emergency.
Chain/Line Storage – some winches store the chain/line on a drum, which is usually attached to the winch itself. Other designs require chain/line to be stored in a separate locker, which can be a below deck compartment or even a box stored on deck. In either case the use of this design requires that extra space be available.
Features to Look For
The large selection of winches available means that manufacturers are often looking for a way to gain an edge over the competition, and this is usually done by offering features customers are looking for. Most times these features are desirable, but there are also times when a feature is just fluff and offers no real functional purpose. Here are a list of some features we believe you will want to look for:
- Waterproof Construction – if powered it is vital that all housings be waterproof, or as close as possible, to avoid unexpected breakdown.
- Ability to be Used in Salt or Fresh Water – salt water is undoubtedly more corrosive than fresh water and requires all metal components to be corrosion resistant or coated with a resistant finish. Even if you do not plan on using in salt water this is a feature that will add versatility down the road, especially at resale time.
- Easy Installation – an anchor winch is not an accessory that should come with a heavy installation fee. Easy installation will help both the DIYer and those who pay a marina as it will reduce time needed, which then results in lower cost for labor.
- Remote Control – there will be times when everything you need to get done happen all at once – there is a fish on the line, the anchor needs to be attended to and you need to maintain station as well. When this happens, it will be nice to have the ability to control the winch remotely so that you can divide your attention and efforts as needed.
- Mounting Options – every boat is individual as its owner and it is always nice to have more flexibility when it comes to where accessories are mounted. The same holds true for the anchor winch. While the function of raising/lowering the anchor does dictate location to some degree you will want to customize that installation based on specific needs on your boat.
Our Recommended Jon Boat Anchor Winches
The choice of anchor winches is so long it could almost be considered endless. Some of these are well suited for a wide variety of applications, others are unsuitable for anything other than a specific situation. We have reviewed many of the most popular models and considered their suitability on a wide range of jon boat designs, and just as importantly in conjunction with the most popular activities those jon boats are best suited. Here is what we decided are the best of the best.
Worth AnchorMate II Set Anchor Control System
The AnchorMate II is a dual component manual winch system that includes a hand cranked drum and a separate bow fixture. The first allows the users to raise the anchor by means of a hand crank and stores the line on an attached drum. This component can be mounted almost anywhere within the boat that allows the line to run unobstructed to the bow fixture.
That bow fixture is mounted at the gunwale and serves a dual purpose – it guides the line safely over the side to avoid unwanted snags or movement and safely secures the anchor when on in use. All components are constructed of heavy gauge steel finished in electrostatic powder coating for use in both fresh and salt water. Self-lubricating nylon rollers keep the line moving smoothly. The system is rated for use with anchors up to 18 lbs.
PROS
- Two-part system makes installation possible on a wide range of jon boats and hull designs
- DIY installation possible with simple tools and minimal mechanical experiances
- Increased capacity of 18lbs is greater than most other manual winch systems- up to 10 lbs. greater
- Heavy gauge construction, powder coating and nylon rollers allow for use in both fresh and salt water environments
- Spool holds up to 150’ of 3/16” nylon braided line.
CONS
- Works best with mushroom anchors, not recommended for other styles
- Does not allow for use with chain
- Although manual crank does reduce physical excretion it does not eliminate it, some users may still find this too strenuous
- Depending on where the crank is mounted you may require additional, not included hardware
- Does not include anchor, line or mounting hardware
For additional information, pricing and current availability check out Amazon.
MinnKota Deckhand 40 Electric Anchor Winch
Minn Kota is a leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors and also offers an excellent selection of electric anchor winches for a wide range of bass, pontoon and jon boats. The Deckhand 40 is at the top of that impressive list.
As the name implies, the Deckhand 40 is rated for use with anchors weighing up to 40 lbs., more than double what you will achieve with a hand cranked winch. The unit is also pre-spooled with 100 ft. of 800 lb. test nylon anchor line and includes all required hardware. With a few basic tools and some knowledge of installing electrical components you can be on the water is no time.
The unit runs on a standard 12-volt battery and can be hooked up to the existing power supply if desired. Raising and lowering the anchor is as easy a pushing a button, although an optional remote control is available as well. The anti-drag system senses the bottom and detects of the anchor is drifting, allowing hands free operation.
The unit consists of two pieces – the winch and a davit. As with the manual crank models the davit is mounted at the gunwale and the powerhead is mounted where convenient. The davit stows the anchor horizontally to prevent damaging movement when not in use.
PROS
- Strong unit with heavy lift capability
- Can be mounted in a variety of locations for ease of use
- Includes hardware, 100ft. of nylon line and instructions
- Compatible with other Minn Kota accessories including a remote-control unit
- 2-year warranty included
- Includes quick release shackle for easy anchor replacement
CONS
- Requires continuous 12-volt power supply
- Designed for use with mushroom anchor, may not work properly with other designs
- Works best if mounted to the bow, with winch and davit in close proximity
For additional information, pricing and current availability check out Amazon.
Deckboat 35 Autodeploy Electric Anchor Winch
The Deckboat 35 differs from the Minn Kota Deckhand in two important aspects. First, it is a integrated design that combines the winch/spool and davit into a single unit. Second, it incorporates a push button auto deploy function – but more on that later. These two features not only make it the perfect option for the angler, but also ideal for a small boat with limited space available.
This anchor winch consists of an all steel construction, 14-gauge marine-grade wiring, 100’ of .20” pre-wound braided anchor line, integrated roller/davit and sealed waterproof membrane around controls. The unit is out of the box ready, it even includes a wireless remote. All you need to do is install and go. No extra hardware needed; not extra components need to be purchased.
With this winch you can simply motor up to your favorite spot, fish the drift until the perfect bite is located and then push the button. The anchor will automatically deploy, dropping until the unit senses the bottom. No need to stop fishing, no need to even leave your seat. A definite plus for anyone who is actively using the boat not just anglers.
But there is also one big drawback – its lift capacity. While the unit is, as the name implies, rated for use with a 35 lb. anchor, even the manufacturer agrees this is too much. The included instructions recommend using an anchor of no more than 30 lbs., while users have occasionally complained that you may need to drop to as much as 25 lbs.
PROS
- Single self-contained unit requires only one location be used for anchor winch & davit system
- Includes all necessary components including hardware, line and even a remote control. Other units require these to be purchased separately
- 3 button operation – up, down & auto deploy
- Auto deploy function allows for true single push button use, perfect for those engaged in fishing or similar activities when the time to anchor comes
CONS
- Lower than desired capacity
- Limited mounted options as it is a single unit and must be near the gunwale, preferably the bow
For additional information, pricing and current availability check out Amazon.
Powerwinch Capstan 300
A capstan is a completely different type of anchor winch, however, adding one to your jon boat can also add a different level of function as well. Many small boat owners overlook the capstan as even being an option, believing they are designed for larger boats with more complex set ups. However, thanks to smaller designs such as the Powerwinch it is now an option for almost any boater.
Unlike other winches which utilize an attached drum for line/chain storage a capstan does not store at all, it only hauls. A motor rotates a smooth drum, or capstan, around which a few turns of the line have been made. As the capstan turns the line if hauled in and the excess line is placed in a storage locker, coiled or otherwise contained as it comes off the capstan.
The Powerwinch 300 is constructed utilizing an aluminum housing with durable polyester painted finish, stainless steel internal components and stainless capstan. Remote foot pedal allows for easy, safe operation and deck mounted design saves space as well as allows installation on smaller vessels. Rated for line up to 5/8” diameter and offers 300 lbs. of lift with retrieval speed of 85 ft/min., more than enough for you jon boat anchor. This unit can also perform double duty, assisting with the pulling of crab traps, fishing lines or similar non-anchor related duties.
PROS
- Small, compact on deck design allows for space saving installation and is ideal for jon boats
- Offers higher level of power than most traditional anchor winches and faster retrieval speeds
- Can be used for multiple boat related duties including pulling traps, retrieving lines and lifting a variety of items
- Includes all necessary hardware and foot pedal
CONS
- Costs more than traditional anchor winch
- Can not be used with chain
- Requires separate line storage option be available
For additional information, pricing and current availability check out Amazon.
Recommend Anchors
In the chance that you are looking for an anchor winch before you actually bought an anchor, or in the event you are looking for a new anchor, be sure to check out our post on the 3 Best Jon Boat Anchors for Any Situation. Whether you are frequently anchoring into shallow water, muddy, grassy, or rocky bottoms, we have the anchor for you based on our experience and a lot of research.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has provided the information, tips and suggestions needed to select the perfect anchor winch for you, your boat and your situation. As you can see, there are many factors to consider when selecting an anchor winch. There are even more winch options to choose from. However, in the end adding an anchor winch or capstan to your jon boat is an investment that is well worth the investment both in terms of time and money. Not only will it increase the overall performance of your jon boat it will also make deploying and retrieving the anchor easier, safer and much faster. You will safe time & energy while adding value to your jon boat at the same time. Most importantly, it will make the overall experience of boating more enjoyable.
PS – If you’re looking for other jon boat gear, we recommend these other posts you might find helpful:
