kap1492 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 I have a MirroCraft 14" Alum. deep-v that was bought used (pics will be up soon) and I am looking to modify it in some regaurds. Before the season I am going to purchase a new bow mount trolling motor and need to install a mounting platform. I want to know what would be the best way to go about it. I figured that i might as well replace the anchor system too. I currently have two of them; on for the front and rear of the boat. They are the Anchormate, these are only recommended with weight of 12lbs. I plan to do mostly lake and river in probably all conditions so I need something that is going to stand up to the current. 1) What should I used for my decking, how thick? 2) What type of anchor is best (river or navy)? 3) Should I continue using two only upgrading the front to a higher weight and keeping the back one for extra hold? 4) Is there any pro and cons to having one or two anchors and which should be the better anchor? 5)The anchormate II is about $74 at Cabela, was just wondering if I can find one cheaper or maybe a better brand, but these are the only ones i have found? Sorry for all the questions, but I want to do my research so I dont second guess myself and ruin a day at the lake. Any help would be great.[edit][edit][edit][edit][/edit][/edit][/edit][/edit] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayDub Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 I'll help you with your first question. It depends on what you want... If you HAVE to keep weight down you can use sheet aluminum but it can be pricy. It also depends on what you have supporting the deck (bar aluminum, 2x4, etc) and what size people are going to be standing on it. What I decided to do is support my deck with 2x4's and then go with 1/2" ply coated in fiberglass resin to make it waterproof. You can also use thin plywood and coat it with fiberglass cloth and resin as LBH suggested in a different post. Remember the thinner your plywood is the closer your supports must be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kap1492 Posted March 20, 2006 Author Share Posted March 20, 2006 Yeah I will be putting on a casting deck, I am not trying to turn my boat into some wanna be tracker, but my main goal is to stay light as possible. Wether I use alum, wood, or pvc pipe which would make alot of sense and make it somewhat cost effective, along with most of all give me a user friendly boat that isnt a pain in the *** to move around in. My first goal is to create a bow mount for my trolling and anchoring system and then move on with the small casting deck. I mainly want to know about the anchoring set up wether I should use two or three? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddpuppy Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 My boat is a 16' and I have an Anchor mate on the front of it. I believe I have a 14lb. three shoveled river type anchor (not a plain mushroom) that I had previously that I use on mine. It is a little bulky when raised up and sometimes takes a pretty good amount of effort to break free when it is directly under the boat and starting to pull up off the bed and I also don't leave it on when towing the boat since I have it on a snap and it doesn't really go far enough in the Anchormate hood and just don't risk it. For most situations it holds my boat in place with plenty of line let out on our mud and clay bottomed lakes. If you fish rough water and rivers I'm not so sure if it would. I haven't tried it in a river at all in swells it may skip and drag some. Also if you go from the recomended 1/4 line to even 5/16 it greatly reduces the spooling amount. I don't think I would use a larger anchor with the Anchormate and I have thought about dropping to a 12 for the front and use the other one for the back that I just throw by hand that way I can place it where I want. By useing two it will allow you to position your boat in the water better if you need to, especially if you fish for other species of fish and would think 2 would hold it if properly set. That might depend alot on your boat too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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