Monday, May 3, 2010

Should I Buy A Power Pole For Boats?

The power pole for boats system is an innovative solution for anchoring small, recreational boats in shallow water. The system is particularly popular among fishing enthusiasts who desire to position their boat in a specific area of water sometimes for just a few minutes. In these situations, the anchoring must be performed precisely, quietly and quickly and then cast their line without scaring fish away with a clanging anchor or a vibrating trolling motor.

Like most successful products, its basic idea is simple. The system is modeled on the ancient pole method of shallow, quiet water boating in rivers, lakes and lagoons. Under this method, the boater propels the craft with a long, handheld pole. Visualize picture postcard images of, say, Cambridge University in England with boaters lazily gliding on the River Cam, one person standing in a small punt with a long pole. The modern power pole system is not concerned with propulsion; it focuses exclusively on what happens at the destination. Once those Cambridge punters reach their chosen spot of water, they often thrust the pole in the riverbed and secure the boat to the pole. That is the essence of the power-pole system.

The power-pole system uses patented technology and robust hydraulics for ease of deployment and solid holding strength at anchor. It is available in a range of models allowing different sized boats to be anchored at depths of up to six or eight feet. The power-pole can securely anchor boats up to about twenty-six feet in length or 3,600 pounds in weight in winds blowing up to thirty miles per hour.

The anchor is deployable or retrievable in a handful of seconds and at the push of a button. The anchor will hold fast in virtually any bottom surface whether it be sand, rock, gravel, mud, silt, grasses and so on. The system deploys quietly and with a minimum of pump noise, water vibration or disturbed material lifting from the bottom to cloud the water and scare the fish. It is considered a significant improvement on trolling motors.

The unit mounts directly on the transom, above the waterline, next to the outboard motors outside the boat. Alternatively, it is mountable on a purpose-designed adapter plate rather than directly onto the transom. When not at anchor, the unit retracts and folds to about half its in-use length. The unit stores vertically at its installed position on the transom. Boat batteries power the unit and it may be conveniently operated from a handheld remote control pad. The unit is supplied with or without the remote control unit.

The power-pole anchor is suitable in both fresh and salt-water settings. The system eliminates the need for deploying a conventional anchor. Importantly, the power-pole system is eco-friendly, causing minimum disturbance to a water bottom. The unit is tough and durable. It will not rust; it is produced with an anodized coating or a special paint-like coating designed specifically for marine applications. Although the system holds securely, producers nevertheless recommend that the boat remain supervised when the power-pole is used as the primary anchor.

Anglers that use the power-pole claim it expands their sporting flexibility in subtle ways. For example, the system allows very effective downwind fishing since they can fine-tune the drift of the boat by repeatedly dropping and weighing anchor. The power-pole also improves sight fishing; the angler maintains better visual contact with the fish. Similarly, the lure can be controlled better during windy conditions as well as a more sensitive feel over the line.

The power pole for boats generally comes with a three to five year warranty. They are available in a range of colors with white, black, gray or silver perhaps being the most common. The supplying dealer usually performs the installation. Alternatively, some mechanically inclined purchasers and the necessary tools install the unit themselves.

Some of the criticisms leveled at the system are that it cannot be used in open waters subject to rough chop; that it is very expensive; that it can only be stern-mounted and this allows the boat to spin with the wind or current; and that it is bulky.

If $1,600 for a POWER POLE ANCHOR seems expensive then take a look at an alternative. Check out Dig IN SHALLOW WATER FISHING ANCHORS.

It's a Shallow Water Anchor that is LESS EXPENSIVE than the Power Pole Style Shallow Water Anchor and Perfect for Flats & Bay Fishing! A shallow water fishing anchor system for all small skiffs, bass boats, flats boats and bay boats.