Anchor roller

[fred1diver]

Hello all
What are your thoughts on adding an anchor roller on my Pearson P30?
At the moment the anchor is a pain to deploy and retrieve
Looking for ideas
Thank you in advance

 

[jssailem]

Fred. Pictures of your bow from the windlass to the bow. And a side profile image.

 

[fred1diver]

I am going to the club after work to take pictures

 

[fred1diver]

I found an old picture of my bow when I needed to replace a chock.
This gives a decent idea until I go take pics this evening.
I am wondering if I should leave the chocks and center cleat or replace the chocks with a cleat either side? What do you all think maybe move them more backwards? To give me more room for a roller?
for reference, I do have a furler, the anchor is a Danforth, 30 ft of chain and 150ft of rode
The only mod to the pic is both chocks are in place and I added a decent closed hawsepipe (or whatever you call it) for the chain and rode

 

[fred1diver]

Ok, finally had time to get pics, what I am thinking is moving the chocks back installing them on a wodden Block or other, filling the holes back and installing the roller angled (furler in the way) pointing port side.

I am looking at different styles of rollers, I like the long ones as they can support the anchor when on deck, or should I go with the short ones and still get the pullpit to hold the anchor? I am afraid that with the short one, the screws might not have enough room

 

[PaulK]

Angling the anchor roller to the side is going to put it under a lot of side forces. Most rollers are set up to deal primarily with longitudinal forces. Having it angle off to the side will also make pulling the anchor up much more interesting, as the anchor line will be pulling the boat off to port while the boat is trying to lie to the wind. Perhaps a roller that projects from the bow like a sprit would work better than one that rests on deck.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

You don’t have enough open deck to make that work properly. The chocks and cleats need to be moved aft to the area near where the nav lights are, and then you could replace those deck mounted nav lights with a single pulpit-mounted bi-color light (or simply relocate them farther aft at deck level, but I think the pulpit mount is better because it puts the light out in front of the headsail).
This would give you more working area to lay out the components. You still need those chocks and cleats for dock tie in addition to anchoring. Don’t let the roller extend too far forward, because the lever geometry could create huge dynamic snatch loads that could damage things if you come up short on the rode in waves.

 

[fred1diver]

By angled I just mean by a few degrees, just to the port of the furler and ending close to or before center, but I do understand what you are saying.

do you think there would be enough room to install it straight? That would lessen the load problem.

I did think about mounting it out a bit, but I am afraid of the extra load it would make for the fasteners and the deck.

as mentioned above, I am considering moving the chocks back, I need to take measurements to figure out exactly where!

the roller I am looking at is under 15” long, so it’s not that long, but I will double check next time over there.
If you have any other suggestions, please let me know, the more info I get, the better the results

 

[jssailem]

The pictures confirmed what I suspected. You have an awful lot going on for that narrow bow.

Unless you are prepared to rework your anchor system, I think it is unlikely you can make a simple installation of a bow roller.

The Dansford anchor would not play well on a bow roller. The deck chocks, while great for marina tie-ups, are in the way of the anchor chain Spurling pipe. You can lay a long roller at an angle off the bow, but would need to secure the chain to a bow cleat with a snubber line (taking the pressure off the chain. Are you planning to install a windlass? This would add another complication to the existing system.

Lots to unravel.

 

[fred1diver]

Thank you for your reply Jssailem.
Can you elaborate more please

What do you mean by rework my anchor system?

the chocks would be moved further aft

the securing of the anchor with a snubber? While at anchor or anchor on deck? If when on deck, at the moment I have a hook to secure the chain when stowed in case the anchor support clips let loose to prevent the chain from paying off.
I am not planning on adding a windlass, I know my space limitations and I do not need one where I sail.

would a long roller be better suited? If so how far out should I safely have it ? Just a bit I think
Would a shorter one be better suited?
You mention the danforth does not play well with a roller, can you explain please

 

[jssailem]

Ok.. Let's begin.
You say you don't need a windlass where you anchor. That is fair.

1. How do you plan to use your anchor?
2. What is the water depth?
3. Will you anchor overnight?
4. Will it be in storm conditions?
5. How heavy is your anchor?
6. How much chain do you use?
7. How are you planning to retrieve the anchor?

Ideally, you will want the chain and anchor to rise from the depths and descend the Spurling pipe into the chain locker. There should be nothing in line between the pipe and the bow roller that conflicts with the chain.

I suspect part of your conundrum is the two chocks you are using to tie up in the slip. Moving them to the rail would be a positive step. Moving them aft, how far, would they still be used to attach to the large cleat?

 

[fred1diver]

Ok.. Let's begin.
You say you don't need a windlass where you anchor. That is fair.

1. How do you plan to use your anchor?
2. What is the water depth? We usually anchor in around 25 ft
3. Will you anchor overnight? Yes often
4. Will it be in storm conditions? No, we only go out on weekends if the weather permits.
5. How heavy is your anchor? 13 pounds
6. How much chain do you use? 30 ft chain and 150ft of rode
7. How are you planning to retrieve the anchor? We always manually retrieve it

Ideally, you will want the chain and anchor to rise from the depths and descend the Spurling pipe into the chain locker. There should be nothing in line between the pipe and the bow roller that conflicts with the chain.
We manually put the chain/rode in the pipe when retrieving the anchor. It is not always in line at the moment, but for us it works very well.

I suspect part of your conundrum is the two chocks you are using to tie up in the slip. Moving them to the rail would be a positive step. Moving them aft, how far, would they still be used to attach to the large cleat?

I am wondering if I should keep the chocks or install a cleat on either sides, was thinking about moving them aft about a bit gore of the round opening on the port side.
Thinking of keeping the large cleat for the anchor

 

[fred1diver]

I just had a walk at my club, saw a few boats with the roller mounted on the bow’s nose, I think this might work for us.
I will post pictures

 

[fred1diver]

As promised, picture time

let me know what you think
I like the idea, just wondering about the overhang on my bow

 

[jssailem]

Helpful to see how the anchors hang from the bow roller when retrieved on other boats.

7. How are you planning to retrieve the anchor?

Now imagine the Danforth dangling in the air near the bow.

Where will those pointy ends be as the anchor shaft is pulled up the roller?