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I am thinking of replacing the old bow roller as my anchor tends to bump the leading edge of the bow. Checking on what's available, I notice many of the bow rollers do not have the actual roller bolted on but simply a press-fit of the roller axle. Like this one: https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=148&item=13425&intAbsolutePage=1 Maybe I am looking at too many cheap ones on Ebay and similar. : (

That doesn't seem very strong to me. Any suggestions for a replacement bow roller? My new anchor is a Manson Boss 15 lb [been really good so far, review coming when I have flood- tested it : ) ]

cheers
Louis
troppo

Louis,

I welded a couple of SS plates on the same type of bow roller to get the result you are looking for.

I'm going out to Seaka tomorrow, so will get some photos.

Thank you Phillip, I'm looking forward to seeing ya pics.

Louis
troppo

Louis,

You will be able to see that I have used the bolt to the roller to secure the extensions and then I have welded [with SS]
the plates to the original roller, on the inside where it cannot be seen!

The shape of the plates will be determined by your anchor.

I have arranged mine so that my CQR comes back to the plates and that stops it flopping around.

Thank you Phillip. Hmm, interesting, I'll have to think about this.

The more I use Windchaser the more I want to make sure her systems are safe and enduring. I especially want the anchor to be easy to deploy and with no dramas getting it to sit right after hauling it up.

Here's where I stayed last night, just a mile below Rockhampton city in a spot I have been checking out that's out that has advantages when the river floods again. Nice and peaceful in the early morning, up to 30 km/hr winds yesterday arvo.



cheers

Louis
troppo

Louis,

Are you using chain or is that just your extra length we can see?

I am currently trialing an anchor rode made up of 50 metres 10 mm quality nylon rope with 10 metres 8mm standard gal chain. The river is mostly sand and mud so not too much abrasion to wear the rope, but I still have chain to cope with the extra wear at the rough end. Using nylon for stretch so when choppy, which has been often lately, there is no solid jerking on the boat.

My old anchor rode was 30 metres 8mm standard chain with 30 metres 12 mm silver rope. The new rode is much easier to haul up.

Can you see in the photo how the line goes underwater? Do you know what is sooo amazing about that? The fact is, it is rare to see that far under the water in the Fitzroy river. And it does not last long, you have to catch it in the right season at the right time of tide before it gets stirred up into mud again.