Retractable Pontoon & Tritoon Anchoring Solution Installation Reference Guide

Introduction

About the Solution

Thank you for choosing E-Z Anchor Puller's Retractable Pontoon / Tritoon Anchoring Solution. These systems are designed for pontoon and tritoon owners seeking a superior anchoring experience that is conveniently hidden below deck and supported by the boat's structural integrity.

Installation Guidance

This manual serves as a reference guide for your boat's custom installation, providing guidance on system setup. For any questions or concerns after reviewing this manual, please contact customer support at 1.800.800.1640.

Important Note on Winch Installation

This manual is specifically for the E-Z Anchor Puller Pontoon Anchoring Solutions. For complete instructions on mounting your purchased drum anchor winch, please refer to the instructions provided in the Hero, Patriot & Rebel Installation Manual included with your drum anchor winch purchase.

Included Hardware and Parts

Kit Components

The Retractable Tritoon Anchoring Solution kits typically include the following components:

Raceway
U-bracket raceway mount
L-bracket mounts and bolt
Bow roller
String rode guide
Universal Mounting Plate

Hardware Package

The hardware included in your pontoon anchoring solution should be packaged separately and contain:

8 each x 18-8 Stainless Steel Hex Head Screws, 3/8"-16 Thread Size, 1-1/4" Long
8 each x 18-8 Stainless Steel Nylon-Insert Locknuts, 3/8"-16 Thread Size
18 each x 18-8 Stainless Steel Washers for 3/8" Screw Size

Installation Preparation

Before using the stainless steel nuts and bolts, apply an anti-seize lubricant to prevent the nylon lock nut from galling or seizing on the bolt as it is tightened.

Be sure to remove the front through bolt from the raceway to allow the inner raceway to extend and retract in the outer raceway.

Warning: Please use extreme caution before removing the through bolt, as the inner spring is fully collapsed and under tension. With a second person, hold both ends of the raceway and roller so you can slowly let the inner spring extend before installation.

System Description

The anchoring solution features a raceway that mounts to the underside of the cross-members of the pontoon/tritoon. The Retractable system has an internal compression spring that allows the bow roller and anchor to be hidden under the deck of the boat when the anchor and anchor rode are fully retrieved. The raceway has several pre-drilled holes to correctly locate the included mounting tabs and U-shaped mounting bracket to the underside of the boat.

Anchoring Suggestions and Warnings

Anchoring Warnings

During retrieval or deployment, NEVER place any obstruction or tool in or near the rope spool.
Do NOT pull a load greater than what is rated for the anchor winch or pontoon solution.
Ensure the anchor rode is properly spooled on the winch and properly threaded through the solution before using.

Winch Compatibility

The E-Z Anchor Puller Pontoon Anchoring Solutions are patent-pending systems created solely for the E-Z Anchor Puller Hero EX-1, Hero EX-2, Hero EX-3, or Patriot EZ-1 drum anchor winch. These solutions are manufactured as separate devices to be purchased in addition to an E-Z Anchor Puller drum anchor winch. The patent-pending pontoon anchoring solution does not include the anchor, rode, or the drum anchor winch.

Notice: If your drum anchor winch purchase includes a guide roller, DO NOT use this spare part with the pontoon anchoring solution.

Recommended Anchor Types

Select a river or mushroom-style anchor that settles into soft surfaces and sustains its holding power by sinking into the soft-bottom sediments of the body of water you're boating in. These anchor shapes "suction" themselves into the silt and mud, making it difficult for the anchor to break loose. The River and/or Mushroom-Style anchor is made in the shape of an upside-down mushroom with a lip around the mushroom cap.

This system and its installation is designed & rated for the following styles of anchors up to 30 pounds:

River Anchor
Mushroom Anchor

Caution: You should NEVER depend on a mushroom anchor to hold a boat in rough water or rough weather!

Rope/Chain Configuration

E-Z Anchor Puller Mfg. Co. recommends no more than 3X the length of anchor rode to the depth of the body of water customers are pontooning in. The E-Z Anchor Puller Retractable Solution works best with 1/4" chain. Typical rope configurations for the pontoon anchoring solution can range from 1/4" to 3/8" nylon. When boating in moving bodies of water and high-wind areas, attach a 1/4" chain to your rope configuration.

Installation and Mounting

Rope Spooling Tips

Position the drum anchor winch carefully, checking the rope path before mounting to your cross-members. Rope naturally wants to lay in between each "ring" on the drum. The further back the installation is from the roller, the more even your lay will be with each use. When you first receive your drum winch, spool the rope on wet and take your time to ensure it is even. E-Z Anchor Puller drums are specifically engineered for optimal width and height for the most even lay.

Disclaimer on Anchor Types and Force

The Retractable Anchoring Solution is designed around the structural limitations of the deck or cross-members of the pontoon/tritoon. Therefore, claw, Danforth, or plow-style anchors are not recommended as they do not easily break away when retrieving the anchor from lake or river beds.

Although the lifting force of the winch is great, applying more force/torque than needed to lift an easily dislodged anchor, such as a river or mushroom anchor, is not recommended.

Do not use the drum anchor winch as a solution to get "unstuck" if the anchor is caught in submerged debris. Tie the rope off to a cleat and use your boat to break the anchor free before pulling in your rope and chain.

Threading the Anchor Rode

There are two ways to thread your anchor rope through the pontoon anchoring solution. Every retractable anchoring solution will have a thread "guide string" that travels through the hollow tube raceway from the rear/drum winch side to the head of the solution's bow roller.

Method 1: Winch Mounted Empty

With the drum anchor winch and aluminum tube raceway already mounted, without rope: Tie the anchor rope onto the guide string on the bow roller end of the solution to feed the anchor rope through the aluminum tube raceway toward the winch. Dispose of the rope guide once the rope is fed through the tube, and loop the rope through the hole in the shaft of your spool. While one person keeps tension on the rope in front of the bow roller, another individual holds the rocker switch "up" button while the winch works to retract and spool the rope onto the drum. It is best practice to spool on the nylon wet to ensure a tight, even lay.

Method 2: Winch Mounted Spooled

If your drum winch is already spooled, detach your anchor so your winch only has rope. Then, tie the end of your anchor rope to the guide string that runs through the aluminum raceway. While one individual holds tension on the rope, the other will press and hold the "down" button on the rocker switch to feed rope through the anchoring solution to the front of the bow roller. Once rope is fed through, dispose of the guide string and reattach your anchor to complete your configuration.

Universal Underside Deck Mounting Plate

The Universal Mounting Plate mounts the drum anchor winch onto the cross-members and is included with every kit. The four mounting slots are on each corner of the Universal Mounting Plate, designed for use with the Hero EX-1, Hero EX-2, Hero EX-3, or Patriot EZ-1 unit. Please note that you will not use the backing plate included in your drum anchor winch purchase.

For any unit, be sure to calculate where you will drill into the aluminum C-Channel cross-members of your pontoon before placing the Universal Mounting Plate via the adjustable mounting slots. These adjustable slots on each corner are designed for cross-members between 16 to 26 inches, ensuring that any brand pontoon/tritoon can be equipped with the Retractable Anchoring Solution.

In addition to the four adjustable slots, there are four (4) holes drilled towards the middle of the plate. If you own a Hero EX-1 unit, attach the drum anchor winch to the Universal Mounting Plate using the four (4) smaller holes only. All other drum anchor winch units will be attached to the plate using the four (4) larger holes. Additional holes measuring 1/4"-20 are drilled into the plate for the optional add-on wifi wireless camera that would be focused on the drum anchor winch if purchased. These four holes are located on either side of the cross-channel connection slots.

Installation with Aluminum Underskin

If the pontoon/tritoon has flat, aluminum underskin in addition to aluminum cross-members, E-Z Anchor Puller recommends the following tools and steps for secure installation:

Tools: Rivet Nut/Plus nut Hardware, Hole Saw, Measuring Tape, Anti-Seize, Pen or Marker.
Be aware of the desired installation location. Carefully measure and mark where you plan to drill into the underskin to mount the plate and anchor winch.
Be aware that some pontoon skins are thicker than others and body styles vary, potentially causing bends in the skin when measuring.
Center the winch as evenly as possible between the tubes of the pontoon/tritoon to ensure it is free of obstructions during operation.
Use a hole saw to drill holes large enough, yet snug enough, to hold the plus nuts where applicable.
Always use anti-seize lubricant on bolts and pre-thread them.
Attach the mounting plate to the aluminum cross-members of your pontoon with the included hardware.

Mounting the Winch to the Pontoon/Tritoon

The separately-purchased drum anchor winch should be mounted onto the Universal Mounting Plate and installed between 6-to-24 inches away from the Retractable's square tube raceway. The Universal Mounting Plate, applicable to three drum anchor winch sizes, is included in the purchased Retractable Solution. The bolts needed to mount the drum anchor winch onto the universal mounting plate are included with your anchor winch purchase, not in your pontoon/tritoon anchoring solution kit.

Locate the drum anchor winch in a suitable position so there is no interference from other ropes or objects attached to the pontoon. Ensure that the rope has a clear, direct lead to the winch and that there is sufficient room to run the electrical cables to the winch underneath the deck. Keep in mind:

Both exposed wires from the E-Z Anchor Puller motor must be connected via joiners/solder and then heat shrunk, including internal silicon to wires (thicker wire) to eliminate any corrosion or water entering wires when attaching power cables to other attachments.
The drum must be in-line and centered to the guide roller on the raceway to ensure an even spread of the rope and chain to the drum.
The gearbox flange to mounting bracket can rotate in two mounting positions (forward or backward facing) for your motor and gearbox components, allowing you to position them at the most convenient configuration.

The solution is mounted below-deck on the aluminum cross-members of the pontoon/tritoon or drilled into the "underskin" of the boat, securely fastening it.

Raceway & Bow Roller Installation

Warning: Please use extreme caution before removing the through bolt as the inner spring is fully collapsed and under tension. With a second person, hold both ends of the raceway and roller so you can slowly let the inner spring extend before installation.

The Retractable Style should be installed so the raceway is 10-12 inches in from the front of the boat so that, when fully retracted, it is under the deck out of sight.

In this solution, three (3) mounting brackets are provided:

The front U-shaped bracket secures the square, hollow raceway to the vessel's cross-member with a 3/8" x 1-1/4" SS Hex Bolt and 3/8" SS Lock Nut.
Two (2) rear slidable L-mounting brackets with a connecting bolt.

You will notice there are four (4) holes towards the rear/drum winch-end of the hollow raceway. This is to ensure that you can mount your aluminum raceway to the cross-members, no matter the make and model of your vessel. Choose where to attach your L-mount brackets, using 3/8" x 1-1/4" SS Hex Bolt and 3/8" SS Lock Nut, then flip them towards the vessel's cross-member and drill the bolts in.

Wiring Diagram

A wiring diagram is provided to illustrate the connections for the winch solution. This typically shows the connections between the winch motor, solenoid, circuit breaker, battery, and rocker switch. Ensure all electrical connections are secure and protected against corrosion and water ingress.

Warranty Information

1-Year Accessory Warranty

The agreement entered when you make an E-Z Anchor Puller purchase is subject to the following conditions and limitations: This is a 1-year warranty for any accessory on a recreational or commercial vessel. Warranty agreements include replacement of faulty part(s), materials, and/or workmanship. The product(s) sold must be free from defects in materials, workmanship, and packaging.

Reporting Defects: If you suspect the product(s) of being defective in workmanship or materials upon purchase, stop using the product(s) and contact E-Z Anchor Puller at 1.800.800.1640 to report the defect within 7 days of inspection.

Purchaser Responsibility: Purchaser understands that they are responsible for any/all charges associated with removal, returning the faulty goods to E-Z Anchor Puller for warranty claim, and re-installation.

Exclusions: Any damage sustained to any vessel, property, equipment, or persons due to the installation or use of an E-Z Anchor Puller product, as far as is permitted by consumer law, is excluded from this warranty. The warranty does not cover any loss, damage, harm, or claim associated with or as a result of an accident or natural disaster.

Warranty Void Conditions

This warranty shall be limited or null and void if any of the following occur:

The improper installation of an E-Z Anchor Puller product, including not adhering to the installation guidelines contained within this manual.
The improper and irregular maintenance, repair, or service of your E-Z Anchor Puller product.
The improper use or incorrect application of your E-Z Anchor Puller product.
Improper modification(s) made to the E-Z Anchor Puller product.

If you are unsure about anything contained in this document, please contact E-Z Anchor Puller for clarification at 1.800.800.1640.

The warranty period begins on the date the invoice is generated and the written agreement is received. The warranty CANNOT be honored if the appropriate documentation has not been provided or if it is incomplete.

Warranty Registration

Complete this form within 90 days of purchase and submit via Toll-Free Fax: 855.855.1540 or email to support@ezanchorpuller.com.

Purchaser Info: Company, Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Email Address, Cell Phone #.

Supplier / Installer Info: Company, Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Email Address, Cell Phone #.

Boat Information: Boat Manufacturer, Boat Model & Length, Gauge of Battery Wire, Distance from Battery, Date Received, Date Installed.

Winch Information: Winch Motor Model #, Winch Motor Serial #.

You must include a copy of the invoice/receipt for the retractable solution or the boat if the product came installed from a dealer. Failure to register the product will void the warranty!