Power anchor(s) for RT178

[fullcoupe]

I have a Ranger RT178 aluminum and I want to put some sort of anchor system on it. I absolutely hate trying to fight drift with the trolling motor, it frustrates me and then I'll end up leaving a pocket of fish to go find calmer water. Anyways, I told myself I would do it last year, and the cost really drove me away - but I've saved a few tokens and now I'm looking at options again.

First...for a 17' boat, is there any advantage of getting two anchors? Has anyone here ever bought one and wished they had gone with two? Having never used (or been on someone's boat that has) power anchors, I've really never felt how they handle when planted. Thinking about it logically - I would assume the boat will still rotate with the wind direction with 1 anchor down; having 2 would keep the boat in any position regardless of wind? 

Second are the models. I dislike the Talons because I feel they would get in the way. My boat is cramped in the front for two; normally I'll have someone fishing the back and I could just see that being annoying to get around.The price point I like is the 8' PP Sportsman. Anyone familiar with this one? Any significant difference between the 8' Pro Series and the 8' Sportsman? 

My third thought (bearing cost in mind), would a programmable trolling motor be a rational substitute for an anchor? I.e. the MK Power Drive, could you set that to maintain a spot and forget it? I'm just thinking a $100 trolling motor upgrade vs. $3000 in anchors....

[RangerDanger]

The problem with the PP is you'll need to find a place for the pumps.  How my RT178 is set up it would be tight in the battery/fuel compartment.  I've seen guys mount the pumps remote in one of the tackle storage compartments.  I get that the PP won't be in the way when down but will be in the way when up.  Spotlock and autopilot work and are pretty cool, but if you are used to a cable steer it might be a tough transition.  Fishing docks and trees would be a pain with a motor steer.  

[Josh_Bovaird]

I have a 12ft talon on my triton 176 and just added another I won't have a boat with out at least one anchor now.  I to went talons because of space in my rear compartment.  I just bought a 12ft talon for 1560 shipped plus they have a 100$ rebate going on right now

[tander]

Have you thought about a Power Pole Micro Anchor. Don't know the weight of your boat but it takes up to 1500lbs.

[gim]

I'm in the same boat as you.  The back of my RT178 doesn't really have enough room for the power pole pumps (and certainly not two of them), so I had to get a talon instead.  The boat is generally light enough with the Maxxum up front as a bow mount that one talon will do.  I have heard of people doing what Ranger Danger indicated, put the pumps in an alternate location near the back of the boat somewhere.

The new electric steer bow mounts with auto pilot, spot lock, etc are nice but again if you are used to a cable steer bow mount, this will be difficult to adjust to.  Might be worth trying instead of a talon or power pole though.

[gulfcaptain]

9 hours ago, Josh_Bovaird said:

I have a 12ft talon on my triton 176 and just added another I won't have a boat with out at least one anchor now.  I to went talons because of space in my rear compartment.  I just bought a 12ft talon for 1560 shipped plus they have a 100$ rebate going on right now

X2......Go with the Talon.  You get 4ft more of anchor pole, all electrical, and quiet quick deployment.  When I get enough for another I will be adding it.  You won't be disappointed in the Talon.

[stfreed]

I just installed the new 3 stage 8 foot Talon.  It is only 40 pounds, 41" tall and is lower than my engine cowl so it is not in the way of the rear fisherman and I did not need the tilt bracket to fit in the garage or under low bridges.  Less than $1350 after the mail in $100 rebate.

[Josh_Bovaird]

1 hour ago, stfreed said:

I just installed the new 3 stage 8 foot Talon.  It is only 40 pounds, 41" tall and is lower than my engine cowl so it is not in the way of the rear fisherman and I did not need the tilt bracket to fit in the garage or under low bridges.  Less than $1350 after the mail in $100 rebate.

For a 100$ more you could have gotten the 12 if you weren't dead set on the 8

[stfreed]

Did not want the 12' sticking up to limit it going under low bridges and into the garage, didn't want to install the tilt bracket and prop needed, and most importantly didn't want to have it in the way of the rear angler, which a lot of times is myself when my son is running the front of the boat.  Now that I have spent several weeks fishing Guntersville, Chickamauga and Lake Murray I must say I am SO GLAD I waited for and went with the new short 8 foot Talon.

[Further North]

On 3/22/2016 at 0:30 AM, fullcoupe said:

My third thought (bearing cost in mind), would a programmable trolling motor be a rational substitute for an anchor? I.e. the MK Power Drive, could you set that to maintain a spot and forget it? I'm just thinking a $100 trolling motor upgrade vs. $3000 in anchors....

I have used a Terrova (and now an Ulterra) for years in this capacity.  They work fine.

[Joespy]

The way I went was with the micro power pole on my RangerRT178. I have had it for over a year now and I love it. I have used it to self deploy, stay put to thoroughly fish an area and to hold a spot back in the trees to fish. It has been more useful than I ever thought. When not using lay lengthwise on the deck(got to love the deck space on this boat). And the best part is it holds really good with wave mode. Any way that's the route I went. 

[Kevin22]

The trolling motor spot lock is probably going to be a lot more than $100 upgrade as the 24V power drive 70lb is about $1200. If you need more than 70lb thrust, the 24V 80lb ulterra is $2000, and the 36V 112lb is $2300. 

[Bass Slayer1]

Joespy hey do you still have your rt178 with the micro anchor. I am considering getting the micro anchor for my rt178 as well.  Can you tell me the pros and cons that you have seen in the last two years with the anchor. Has it held the boat in windy conditions, etc...