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Anchor Roller Ideas

Anchor rollers, also called bow rollers, provide a very important function on a boat. They serve as sturdy guides to feed anchor chain and line (rode) over the bow of the vessel. They serve to keep the anchor line from tangling and chaffing against the side of the hull. They come in handy for solo anchoring, where two people might be needed to drop and feed line simultaneously. Whether retro-fitting a new anchor, or purchasing an anchor roller for the first time, a boat owner should consider several ideas and options.

Mounting Locations
- Mounting locations for anchor rollers are somewhat limited as they must usually be mounted on the bow tip, very near the anchor line locker or storage compartment. The ideal location is straight off the tip of the bow, underneath the bow rail. The strongest point of attachment requires mounting through the top of the bow deck, with enough room to accommodate a roller mounting plate that can range from 4 inches in length to over a foot. The mounting plate size will depend upon how much free, unencumbered area there is on the bow decking.
Roller Size and Construction
- The shape or profile of the roller should be beveled and deep enough to accommodate the chain rode width, with additional area for sideways flex and twisting, without riding over the edges of the roller top. The larger the roller the better, for retrieving and launching the chain and line. For double-roller configurations, the rear roller can be smaller without losing any performance in launching and retrieval. Consider rollers held in place by shaft pins; this allows easy replacement of the roller if the bearings become worn or damaged.
Style and Size
- Consider the structural style of the anchor roller you will need. Light, smaller boats need only require a simple four-bolt plate and a single roller, which will through-bolt into the bow deck. You may find a double-roller design favorable for long pulpit roller frames that extend over the bow for some distance. Match the size of the anchor roller to the gross weight of the anchor and rode. Refer to an anchor chart, which can be found at any marine supply store, for matching your anchor roller to your boat.
Features
- Consider an anchor that has adjustable, sliding rollers that allow you to customize the length of the locker location to the drop point over the bow. Double adjustable rollers can support the chain and anchor line over the total length of the arm guide, increasing the stability and lessening the stress points. Look at low profile anchor rollers if you have a shortage of space on the bow deck. Use a long, thin roller frame to cover extra length from the drop end to the anchor locker. Some anchor rollers come with line stops to secure the rode in place so the line does not have to be cleat-tied.
Construction Material
- Choose between aluminum, steel or bronze roller frames. Aluminum does not have the strength of steel under heavy loads, but it will flex more and save on weight. Heavier craft do well with steel plate or cast steel construction which are able to withstand much heavier anchor weights. The steel anchor roller should have a good rust-resistant coating of either plastic or marine paint. Aluminum anchor rollers require less maintenance, and are naturally resistant to weather and water, except for heavy salt oxidation. Bronze weighs more than aluminum or steel, and costs more, but is very corrosion resistant and atheistically attractive.

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