Anchor roller

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seasick

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I guess my posting got lost when the server crashed so here it is again.

A friend of mine with a 21 ft cuddy is looking at adding a windlass. It will be an automatic free fall model. He mentioned that he would add a pulpit and I replied that I would go with an anchor roller instead. I thinks it's more functional, cleaner, less expensive and earier to retrofit (especially if the railings are to be fitted to the pulpit).
I showed him some roller models and commented about pivoting rollers. Supposedly they work better with automatic windlasses in that they enable the anchor roller to drop a bit and that helps frre it from it's stored position. I showed him the Kingston BR-21 roller assembly as an example.
Does anyone have experiences with anchor rollers particularly when used with windlasses?
Thanks for your input
Keeler
 
I have one on my skiff and it works really good. You have to go up front to push the anchor out of the roller, but i have to go there anyway to undo the safety wire.

DSC_1233.jpg
 
I believe Nothing Else is showing a Powerwinch brand freefall unit.

Freefall units, at least the Powerwinch, requires a short period of motor down before it's clutch disengages, then freewheels. So the same as power down units, for the first few seconds.
 
I installed a Good freefall windlass and their pivoting roller boom on my old boat and it worked like a charm. It needs to extend about 6-8" out from the bow for the flukes or claw to clear and the pivot action does seem to help with the self deployment. That unit was built very well IMHO.
 
Thanks for the input. One thing my friend want's to avoid is having to go to the bow to start the deployment. Ahchor is used only for fishing and not mooring.
 
seasick said:
Thanks for the input. One thing my friend want's to avoid is having to go to the bow to start the deployment. Ahchor is used only for fishing and not mooring.
Click to expand...

Generally considered a much safer practice to have a safety wire, lanyard, or some other device to keep the anchor from self-deploying. This can ruin your day if it happens when running, or in a restricted-manuevering situation.

We have our chain in a positive lock, and only remove the pin when we get close to the anchorage area. May move between spots with the pin out, but always secured before running for home.

You can see the "chain stopper" in this photo.

Bow-2.jpg


Brian
 
Brian,

What's the cleat for that's next to the windlass?

Also, for anyone that's thinking about a windlass, the type that Brian shows is FAR better than the type that winds in the line horizontally and then turns it 90 degrees to then go down vertically into the anchor locker. I had that type on my old Sailfish and it got twisted all the time!
 
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS said:
The cleat is there so you can tie the anchor rode when at anchor. You are not suppose to use the windlass to hold the boat.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

I had removed that cleat from the centerline so I could install the windlass. I simply reinstalled it with a nice backing plate.

Easy to get anchored, then just go forward, pull back a few feet of rode and tie it off.
 
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