Anchor roller on a Hunter 34 too narrow

[markwbird]

So, all you Hunter 34 owners out there know exactly what I'm talking about. The anchor roller is too narrow. The shackle between the rope and the chain will not fit through it. It's a bit absurd, really. Has anyone out there fixed this? I would love to know what you did.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Do you have a windlass?

Have you considered a rope to chain splice?

 

[Don Crowther]

I usually man handle the shackle over the roller since I'm up there coiling the rope into the locker.
But I don't anchor that often. I pin to shore more, if there's a mooring to grab I'll do just about anything not to set the anchor. Mainly because I single hand alot.

 

[kloudie1]

Same as Don.. Ya there anyway, Takes a half second to do.

 

[Allan12210]

Same as Don.. Ya there anyway, Takes a half second to do.

Me three. Actually, I treat it as an advantage. Once I lift the shackle over the roller and put it back down, it can't fall back through in that direction either. :dance: Then I sit down and pretend I'm on a rowing machine and pull the chain on board. The anchor shackle seems to clear ok.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

I have installed a windlass and replaced the anchor roller with one I modified to have the anchor pulled down by its own weight when I hit the switch. Rode to chain splice takes care of the shackle problem as Stu said.

 

[a65sailor]

I would love to see photos of the windlass installs. Wasn't sure there was a good place to put it. Thanks!!!!

 

[slooop]

I had the same problem. I replaced the factory provided anchor with a 35lb CQR which is considerably wider.
I drilled 5/8" holes in both sides of the flanges that hold the anchor on the bow of the boat. Inserted a 5/8" machine bolt with nuts on either side of the flanges. Then forced the flanges to open wider by turning the nut until the flanges were wide enough. Probably increased the opening by 3 inches. Then remove the bolt of course. Crude but it worked.

 

[centerline]

I widened one a long time ago... I took it off and split/cut it down the middle, then I found a wider roller I wanted to use and fit it in to find out how wide the gap was. then I cut a strip of stainless that would fit the gap, and welded it all back together.. other than this, there is no way to do it.... unless you just need it a quarter inch wider, then you may be able to bend the tips where the roller is, but you probably wont like the results, nor will anyone else you try to sell it to when you decide to take it off and get yourself a bigger one.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Don't want to hijack the thread but here is the windlass installation I did on my 34

 

[Ilanortho]

You all are terrific. Thanks for the reply. I reviewed the above..... holy crap! Was going to do this dock side; I think I'll wait 'till next winter's lay-up.

Thanks again. Ilan