How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

[Mark42]

I'm looking at a bow anchor roller to hold a smaller Danforth style anchor. They look like this:

How is the anchor stored on the roller after it is pulled up and the line is snugged tight (by either a windless or by hand) ? Also, how does the anchor come up when the "shaft" of the anchor reaches the roller? It would really help me if someone had a photo of a bow roller with a Danforth/Fluke anchor on it.

I'm thinking that a smaller version of the above anchor roller would work well for my boat after I get the hard top on because then the anchor is stored out front where it will be used, and that is one less thing in the boat I have to store someplace.

I've seen these on sail boats, but they are much larger versions with multiple rollers and all kinds of extra moving parts. Can't find an example of a small bow anchor roller.

Thanks!

 

[fishingdan]

Re: How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

The shaft of the anchor is pulled up through the ring until it can't go any further. The shaft then lays down on/in the bracket and the anchor "tines" (I don't know what they are called, but the moving part that digs into the bottom) fit snuggly up agains the roller.

While not a great picture, you might be able to see the anchor on the bow of this boat. One of those anchor rollers is on tap of the board sticking out the front of the boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

Mark the type you show you have to reach over and retrieve the anchor, the one in the post above is an add on pulpit.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

The boat above has exactly that device on the wooden pulpit. One can pull the anchor in from the cockpit. The anchor pulls right in and tightens up for storage.

 

[Mark42]

Re: How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

fishingdan,

Does the anchor "right" itsself as it comes over the roller so the tines are facing down?

The idea is to have a good size Danforth (about 8-10lbs, #4) hung out front for convenience of use and storage. That will be the main anchor when serious anchorage is needed. Then a smaller second Danforth would be stored in the cabin for doing the two anchor setup when we are at the beach.

These bow anchor rollers command a fairly hefty price even considering they are stainless. There are some cheap plated steel rollers, but they won't hold up to the salt conditions (and I really hate rust stains).

I'm open to suggestions for other ways to deal with storing an anchor.

 

[lkbum]

Re: How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

My boat has the bow anchor roller, like the one you reference, as shown below. If I understand your question, I have a small piece of rope attached to the frist or second link of the chain attached to the anchor. I pull the anchor up and over the roller. I then secure the anchor by tying the rope off to a cleat inside the anchor compartment. I pull the rope tight prior to tying off which wedges the anchor against the roller. Works pretty well.

 

[lkbum]

Re: How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

I should have pointed out to note the scuff plate on the bow below the anchor. Since you can't hold the anchor away from the bow as you pull it up, I think this is pretty important on this type of installation.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

fishingdan,

Does the anchor "right" itsself as it comes over the roller so the tines are facing down?

I'm open to suggestions for other ways to deal with storing an anchor.

Yes, it does.

You can make one easy enough. The boat pictured in my previous post had a home made pulpit that included the equivalent of the device you pictured. I ended up changing it to include a commercially available unit because I had one. It really wasn't necessary since the one on the boat worked just fine.

See picture.....As viewed from the top

- Wood of your choice cut as shown
- A cleat or two
- A rubber trailer winch stand roller (like the one that mounted on the winch stand that touches the boat at the bow eye)

A danforth style anchor will pull up nicely and self align from this. Snug it up and wrap the chain on the cleat. Anchor won't go anywhere.

Finish it nicely and it is a nice addition to a boat. I used Meranti hardwood. It is a mahogany family wood. Relatively inexpensive if purchased from a lumber yard that sells hard wood home deck materials.

 

[Mark42]

Re: How do Bow Anchor Rollers work?

ikbum and fishingdan, thanks for those pics. That bow pulpit looks like a nice project. I'm thinking a plywood pulpit covered with two layers of 1708 biax and a few coats of gel-coat shoul hold up well. The single navagation light will have to be replaced with two individual lights on each side of the pulpit. And add an anchor locker added below.

I like the projects that don't take the boat out of service.