The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site

Stuff We Gotta Do—The Anchor Roller Version

A couple of years ago I was browsing the shelves of a marine store in Halifax when I overheard the following conversation between one of the sales people and a customer who had just walked in the door carrying a brand new modern anchor.

Customer: I need to return this anchor.

Salesperson: Sure, we can do that, but what’s the problem?

Customer: Oh, I’m sure the anchor’s fine. I even read about how much better these new anchors are, but it does not fit my bow roller, so I guess it’s back to my old CQR.

Now, it’s quite possible that this guy is a local weekend sailor who never goes far, and/or only anchors a few times a year, perhaps just for a lunch stop. In that case his decision makes sense, particularly since here in Nova Scotia most anchorages are blessed with good sticky mud that even a CQR will set reasonably reliably in.

But it did get me thinking about the number of cruising boats I still see with old-style anchors on the bow, something that always perplexes me, since changing from a CQR to a SPADE some 18 years ago was, and still is, the biggest single gear-related advance in Phyllis’ and my enjoyment of cruising, bar none.

And then I started wondering how many of those cruisers didn’t make the change because (like the guy in the store) a better anchor would not fit their existing bow roller.

And, further, how many cruisers have accepted the for-shit bow roller that most production boats come with, without ever really thinking about how much better and safer things could be with a well-designed and well-built replacement.

It’s All About Priorities

And that in turn got me thinking (as I often do) about task prioritization. Probably the most important thing we need to get good at if we want to get out there voyaging and enjoy ourselves once out there.


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Marc Dacey

I’m swiping those “big washer” and the stock retainer ideas for my Spade. Great stuff and easy to fabricate. Happy new year, John and Phyllis, and fair winds.

Drew Frye

I get a real kick out of the undersized stainless Deltas that grace so many bows at the boat show. Somehow they think it helps sell the boat, but my first impression thoughts are:
a. The anchor is worth zero since I will replace it.
b. The roller is probably too small. Maybe the windlass too.
c. Where else have they skimped on fundamentals, in favor of dockside amenities and appearance?

I can get past this, but for me, they have unintentionally set the wrong tone. If it is a race boat, I get it. You’re going to stash a Fortress somewhere off the bow. But otherwise, you’ve hinted she’s a marina hopper or dock queen.

Matt Marsh

I’ve seen a few, Drew, where I can grab the roller assembly, pull sideways, and think “you know, if I put my weight into this, it would probably bend or let go entirely”. They’re usually paired with a beautifully polished and grossly undersized stainless steel plow, with no manufacturer’s name or logo on it, which I believe says all I need to know about said anonymous manufacturer’s QA process.

Charles & Heather’s design looks clean, elegant, and effective. And it doesn’t look like it’d be much (if any) harder to build than the OEM one.

Marc Dacey

Agreed, but don’t get me started. Unsecured sole hatches, few if any handholds, wide-open saloons, unbacked cleats and stanchions…bah! I go look at new boats for innovations in stowage, mostly. Not with the idea they’ve be remotely safe in a seaway. The local boat show’s in two weeks: I’d best work on my grumpy face.

RDE

Hi Marc,
The interior desicrators who create modern “open plan” deck salon interiors still have their eye on the ball and save pennies wherever possible. By making all the cabinet corners sharp right angles they not only save money but aid the income stream for plastic surgeons. It’s what we call bleeding edge sailboat design.

Scott Thomas

Some great ideas for my Spade. On the last picture I don’t see the bumper you reference just what looks like a fire hose nozzle with quick connect. Another great idea for washing the chain.

Charles Starke MD FACP

Hi John et al.
There is no bumper needed. Black Delrin roller that you, see holds chain down so anchor cannot hit furling drum. Delrin roller coupled with chain anchor lock aft of roller both keep twist out of chain so no swivel is needed, or even considered. Crosby 209 shackle is used.
Only other fitting is large dyneema loop attached permanently to Samson post, reeved through shackle, and back over Samson post. This is easily thrown off Samson post to launch anchor when needed, but firmly keeps it in place at sea.
The boat end of chain is attached in anchor well by line affixed firmly to bulkhead. Line is a length cut to keep chain on gypsy even if chain runs free, but line can be cut on deck right at gypsy to drop anchor and chain in emergency. End of chain has 30-40 feet of very light polypropylene line permanently spliced on. This floats and allows me to retrieve chain and anchor if I ever have to cut anchor loose.
Anchor deploys and retrieves easily after dyneema loop loosed. I hope this is clear.
Best wishes and happy new year!
Charles
Charles L Starke MD FACP
s/v Dawnpiper

Charles Starke MD FACP

Addendum: There is a wash down pump and hose with quick connect to wash down chain. Anchor is 99 lb galvanized Spade. Storm anchor is 66 lb aluminum Spade (which is even larger than bower anchor) stored in stern. The large “washer” ioutboard of anchor is 8” x 8”x 3/8 stainless plate from McMaster-Carr machined into circle which, along with black Delrin roller gripping anchor stock, hold anchor firmly in place at sea. Stainless roller was machined down 3/8” to fit “washer” next to roller. There is a 1/2 “ pin that fits above chain when anchor is deployed to keep chain from jumping roller. Samson post is placed to lead and secure a mooring line from starboard roller. Port and starboard rollers are offset so mooring line in starboard roller does not chafe on stowed anchor.
Best wishes and happy new year!
Charles

Dirk Jacobsz

Charles.
Kudo’s on a great system – most important on a vessel.IMHO. Question size and tonnage of your boat please.
Kind Regards
Dirk

Charles Starke MD FACP

Hi Dirk
Thanks. Dawnpiper is a Trintella 47 (47’) built 2001, and is about 40,000 lbs.
Best wishes,
Charles

Phil

Just in time: my winter project is to upgrade my bow roller to better accommodate my Spade or my Rocna. Top priority for now.
Right now, the Rocna roll bar is about 3mm away from the bow nav light. Under normal operation it has never been a problem, but last summer we screws up when coming into a lock. The Rocna by hitting the wall saved our mast head, but with the cost of the nav light.
Do to list order:
– all mission critical device first,
– then, the remaining, eventually.
Hard to have the discipline to keep it like that.
Any idea is welcome.

Scott

Thanks for the great reminder and inspiration. The inside may not be trimmed out but I’ll splash with a great anchor and roller.
I took your advice and had Ed Joy design a roller to fit a 33# spade and Pearson Vanguard 33. I might have gone up a size but I think I can in the future with Mr. Joys design. The flukes pull right into the roller and nest at the same angle.
(3/16th” 316L Aluminum with turned aluminum rollers that are greasable.)
Thanks again

Pictures:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qknw64z4188ncas/AAA4uwhFIgqvuj_IoCwO1TKba?dl=0