Not another anchor?

[zoidberg]

A mate is about to buy a boat. It is a 4.5 ton bilge keeler and, among other things, the anchor on the boat doesn't fit the bow roller satisfactorily.

He wants to change that, soon, for something which works as well and is easier to accommodate. I've been asked for my suggestions, but I'm far too modest to venture an opinion on such a contentious subject. Instead, I'm asking here.

There is plenty of chain and a 'lectric anchor winch. The 'anchoring option' will certainly be used, and quite often. Danforth copies are unlikely to make the cut.

 

[noelex]

I can understand the concern. That Rocna does not look very secure.

The concave roll bar anchors work exceptionally well but they do not fit all bow rollers.

The Steel Spade is a great alternative and is the best general purpose anchor if the rollbar anchors do not fit.

However, It is difficult to tell from the photo, but in this case it looks like it is going to be difficult to fit any anchor satisfactorily on the bow. If this is true it may be better to tackle the problem by fabricating a better and more conventional bow roller.

Some cardboard /MDF anchor mock ups would be the first step to see what will fit with the existing arrangement.

 

[Neeves]

Noelex suggestions seems the place to start.

There are number of 'new' non roll bar anchors in addition to Spade viz Vulcan (from the Rocna camp); (if he is flush, very) Ultra; (if he is parsimonious) Kobra; Manson's The Boss; Anchor Right's Excel (shipping costs might be an issue - but it you don't ask??).

Then not all roll bar anchor are the same, think Supreme, Knox (and a couple of weeks ago Knox was offering deals).

Most of these anchors for roughly the same weight will give the same sort of hold (or you will not tell the difference). None off them are perfect, accept it! But fitting a new bow roller just to fit one group of anchors when the other group might fit 'as is' always seems a waste of money to me - but we all make different judgements, each to their own.

Most of the above anchors are used successfully by people on this forum, so all off them suit someone. Some are 'quite new' and don't have much user feedback. Some are cheaper for a, or some, reason(s)

With more information, or an overhead view of the bow roller and windlass, maybe a more narrow choice could be offered.

Jonathan

 

[zoidberg]

Some cardboard /MDF anchor mock ups would be the first step to see what will fit

and

With more information, or an overhead view of the bow roller and windlass

Good start, thanks. I can fwd this input so the guy won't think it's been forgotten.

The offending foredeck is 160 miles away, but I'll get down there some day soon.....

 

[Sybarite]

Noelex suggestions seems the place to start.

There are number of 'new' non roll bar anchors in addition to Spade viz Vulcan (from the Rocna camp); (if he is flush, very) Ultra; (if he is parsimonious) Kobra; Manson's The Boss; Anchor Right's Excel (shipping costs might be an issue - but it you don't ask??).

Then not all roll bar anchor are the same, think Supreme, Knox (and a couple of weeks ago Knox was offering deals).

Most of these anchors for roughly the same weight will give the same sort of hold (or you will not tell the difference). None off them are perfect, accept it! But fitting a new bow roller just to fit one group of anchors when the other group might fit 'as is' always seems a waste of money to me - but we all make different judgements, each to their own.

Most of the above anchors are used successfully by people on this forum, so all off them suit someone. Some are 'quite new' and don't have much user feedback. Some are cheaper for a, or some, reason(s)

With more information, or an overhead view of the bow roller and windlass, maybe a more narrow choice could be offered.

Jonathan

Also the Brittany Roc.... (Rocnas are almost as good - per Voiles et Voiliers.)

 

[lw395]

As the boat looks to be on a swinging mooring, I'd say the owner is keen to keep the pointy bit of the anchor away from the mooring pendant. Hence the unconventional stowage.
If the anchor really doesn't fit the bow fitting, some sort of double-roller pivoting arrangement might help?

 

[Neeves]

As the boat looks to be on a swinging mooring, I'd say the owner is keen to keep the pointy bit of the anchor away from the mooring pendant. Hence the unconventional stowage.
If the anchor really doesn't fit the bow fitting, some sort of double-roller pivoting arrangement might help?

In the absence of more information I'd wondered something similar.

The bow roller assembly looks quite large and I wondered if the plate thickness was sufficient if you could simply bolt an 'extender' to the existing bow roller. Two plates extending forward imply bolted to the existing bow roller. Use one of, or the exisiting, roller and add another as part of the extension.

You could do this yourself, buying, cutting and drilling stainless is not difficult and many bow rollers are articulated anyway, sort of kicking donkey arrangement - and is better for the windlass. But the existing bow roller needs to be meaty. You might be able to use holes in the existing bow roller to fix the extension. You might need to source low profile bolts so that the new assembly does not foul the anchor on retrieval. Obviously much better if its welded, or a completely new design of roller, but that increases costs geometrically (and not everyone sits under the pagoda tree ). For designs of articulated bow roller - walk round any marina.

If the existing bow roller is strong enough - its really not a big job.

Jonathan

 

[zoidberg]

Thanks to all above for assembled wisdom.

I expect the sale/purchase to go through. Somewhere down the line, this matter will raise its head and I'll bring the suggestions to said mate's attention. As is quite right, he will have his own ideas. But he will certainly give time and space to the ideas above.

I'll encourage him in that, for it'll likely be me who has to 'lift and lay'.... and lie awake at night watching the iPad anchor-alarm app wind round itself in circles.

 

[thinwater]

Better pictures would help, but...

Fix the bow roller. Then you'll have more options.