Bow roller
- Thread starter mellis18
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There is this one in "Owners Mods": http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...7&cat_id=25&aid=7391&page=article&mn=31_83-87 . Maybe get an idea or two. You might want to contact the owner.
A few years back I installed one on an 83 h27. I picked one up at a marine salvage yard and purchased a boom bail and a polyetheline roller at WM. I recall I had to remove the single cleat at the bow and the line chock on the port side. Because of limited space the roller mount had to be placed at an angle. I made sure it protruded enough so the anchor flukes would not hit the bow and that it did not interfere with the operation of the roller furler. I think I used two of the original holes in the base and marked to drill a third one. I took off the V-berth panels leading to the bow and insured I had a clear space to drill. Ater I drilled the holes I epoxied the exposed wood and installed the bolts withe oversize washers as backing plates. The trick was getting my head to fit in the pointy end of the bow as I tightened the nuts from the inside. The single cleat was replaced by two smaller ones on each side. A spring loaded anchor lock was placed behind the anchor and in front of the opening for the anchor locker. It secured the anchor by the chain. The only problem I had was that when tying the rode to one of the cleats the line jumped the base and could have easily chaffed in foul weather. I was aware of it and on the few occassions that I needed to I added pieces of hose for protection. It was so much easier to deploy and raise the anchor which made it for a worthwhile improvement. The purpose of the bail was so that the rode would not jump the track an allow the anchor to hit topsides. With the factory setup the anchor line was beginning to dig into the bow cap and that problem was eliminated. I had eyeballed the length and size of the base and it worked out well, it was sturdy and long enough that I could bolt down on deck about 2/3 of it length an had enough to extend forward. Once installed it looked hefty but not oversized. With a little more room on a 31 you may be able to improve on the design. I had looked at the anchor rollers stocked at my local WM and found them not sturdy enough so I went to the salvage yard and got lucky as I got a good deal since the roller the pin and bail were gone. I don't think in all I spent over $75. At today's prices that may be $150 but well worth it. And don't forget to caulk the holes.
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