Self stowing hinged bow roller.

[Huttoft]

Hello. It's crossed my mind that a possible winter project might be to try and make the whole process of anchoring a wee bit easier. If I explain my set-up I hope one or more of you might offer advice as to whether my idea, of replacing the presently used "normal" bow roller for a self stowing hinged one, might cure my problems.
At present I am using a 45lb CQR and it's stowed on the bow roller secured with a 1/2" pin through the shank and roller's side plates and a wire strop securing the chain. I find difficulty/awkwardness when deploying the anchor in that after releasing the pin and strop I then have to lift the anchor clear of the bow roller along with two or three feet of slack chain and pass it clear of the bow and then put the chain back over the roller and leave it hanging there until I start lowering. This is all done whilst kneeling and half leaning through the guard rails, grunting and fearing for my fingers and gel coat. I'm not too happy about being half overboard either, even with a safety line attached. Raising and stowing the anchor is the same but in reverse order. It has to be done this way 'cos the anchor will not clear or enter the roller by simply releasing or collecting the chain with the windlass. Up to now there has been no calamity but I have only anchored in relatively fine conditions. Things might be a whole lot different if or when I had to anchor in worse weather. My hope is that things might be relatively more straight forward if I were to use a self stowing roller. Hopefully the whole process would be a straight forward operation of the windlass. I have had no experience of them and I would like others' ideas as to the practicalities of using one. As well as "do they work as they are supposed to do", are they physically up to the job and capable of handling possible heavy weather? I have seen adverts for rollers advertised as capable of use with anchors of the size I am using. I would be grateful for any positive ideas, suggestions or help in general.
Ged.

 

[FrancisRutter]

I had one fitted when I had an electric windlass fitted to my Fisher 25. It took the 10Kg bruce well, but when I changed to a heavier spade anchor the shank was a different shape and I had to have the roller fitting modified to take it. It now works well and I can anchor and retrieve the anchor from the wheel house. The only problems are that sometimes, if I pull it up too hard the shank will jam in the fitting and has to have a foot applied firmly to dislodge it before I try to anchor again, also occasionally the anchor comes up the wrong way round and has to be pursuaded to turn before it will garage itself.
So, be quite sure what anchor you are going to use before deciding on the particular model of fitting to buy. apart from this, I have been well pleased with mine.

 

[rob2]

Like many of us, I have very little anchoring experience and most of that reflects your description of heaving and sweating in fear of your fingers on a foredeck that's ensuring the need for knee surgery or swimming lessons (lesson 1 - let go of that anchor!).

There seem to be two options, a hinged self stowing anchor roller, that takes up most of the foredeck, or a self stowing arrangement tucked through a bowsprit platform like you get on Danish boats. I love the idea of the second option, but then so do the jobs-worths who calculate charges for the moorings!

 

[davidbains]

I went this route and found the best source of interesting bow rollers was by an Italian firm
Osculati.
http://www.osculati.com/cat/Serieweb.aspx?id=13565
They make several nodding donkeys some of which project quite far forward which it sounds like you neeed. Be careful with the internal measurements to ensure your 45lber CQR will seat home.
Buy the larger one if in doubt!! These designs are assembled with machine screws which tend to unwind in use and I have replaced them with thro bolts were possible.
I found Russell Simpson marine in Newhaven were willing to order these in.

Vetus supply a couple too.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

I have anchored about 100 times this year and have a rocking bow roller which is very successful. The anchor is a 30kg Bruce and used to get stuck with the anchor hanging vertically from the roller.
The rocking design avoids this problem. I always use a chain hook since the rocking roller is less robust for side loadings.

 

[Huttoft]

Thanks for all the replies and helpful ideas. Can I ask Saltwater_gypsy to go a bit more into detail as to what he means about "I always use a chain hook since the rocking roller is less robust for side loadings". Do you mean that you reposition your anchor chain away from the hinged roller once you have completed anchoring and have the chain leave the boat through a fairlead or a different bow roller. Sorry if I'm being obtuse. I do understand what you mean by the strength of a hinged roller might be a bit suspect when the anchor chain is pulling from the side however 'cos that has already crossed my mind. Also your description of your anchor getting "stuck with the anchor hanging vertically from the roller." is exactly what I was trying to describe in my post.
Regards. Ged.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

The the front roller on the rocking roller extends beyond the original roller position so that side loads can exert a bit of leverage on the pivot. To ease this I use an anchor hook the line of which I take through the adjacent bow roller.
An anchor chain hook is a good idea anyway as you can take the anchor loads to a mooring cleat rather than hanging off the windlass.