Bow roller

mickter · 06 June 2021, 11:32

Has anyone fitted a bow roller,We have a xs500 with rubber channel over bow but chain and rope rub on front of rubbing strip,want to fit bow roller like on hard boats.
Had a Compass Rib that had a roller and cleat attached to a f/glass mounting which was then mounted on tube .
Can`t seem to find anything suitable ,
welcome any suggestions.
Thanks Mick.

Maximus · 06 June 2021, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickter

Has anyone fitted a bow roller,We have a xs500 with rubber channel over bow but chain and rope rub on front of rubbing strip,want to fit bow roller like on hard boats.
Had a Compass Rib that had a roller and cleat attached to a f/glass mounting which was then mounted on tube .
Can`t seem to find anything suitable ,
welcome any suggestions.
Thanks Mick.

IME There really is no need (for most sized Ribs) you simply position yourself over the Bow to one side and drop the chain over so as not to touch the sides/tubes
....I've a large Plough type anchor with 8m+ of heavy galv chain....(7m Rib) the lighter chain and Anchor the easier it is.
I do place the rope through the rubber channel whilst the anchor is deplored where there is a groove for the purpose

mickter · 06 June 2021, 16:00

Easier said than done when your over 70 years old, a roller will make it easier to retrieve .

36valley · 06 June 2021, 17:10

I'm with Mick on this.
I do drop and recover the anchor and chain from the side of the boat, just using the bow channel for the rope, but it's hard work recovering the anchor and also keeping the chain clear of the wide tubes fitted to the XS ribs. So much so that I've got a lighter set up for lunch stops that I keep in a bucket in the anchor locker.

A bow roller is something I'm considering too.

Jon Tallis · 06 June 2021, 17:25

Like 36valley, I use the groove in the bow strake. No doubt that a bow roller would make the whole thing easier Mick but unless the builder of your boat offers a moulding (or you're handy with GRP skills) it'd need to be custom made by a boat builder - entirely possible but costly, esp for a one-off. I guess if you have a common model you might get some interest on here that would offset the cost of having a mould made?
Or you could have it fabricated in 316 stainless? Still expensive but maybe not so bad for a one-off as no mould to make.
If going this route, I would make sure that I had a back-up cleat into the hull - in case of emergency anchoring in rough conditions I wouldn't want all the anchor loads going through my tubes

Orwell boy · 06 June 2021, 18:05

I had an idea to do this over the winter but was,nt really sure if i needed it or not on my nautica rib ,the rib already had some boatyard made mounts for sun shades which i didnt want so i took one off and thought about mod for anchor roller ,but havnt fitted as yet ,here it is as it may not be too hard to do a better job in your shed !!
if you want to do it ,mabe go to one of those plastic bin/storage shops and find a lunch box the right size (they come out of moulds anyway so should be a head start ) use niceclean bit of perspex to form the diameter of your tubes for the base shape

Jon Tallis · 06 June 2021, 18:11

Nice job Orwell boy, no side view but I presume it extended forward of the front of the tubes. Looks a tidy job [emoji106]

Maximus · 06 June 2021, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickter

Easier said than done when your over 70 years old, a roller will make it easier to retrieve .

Ok ....it may have been pertinant to advice given to have mentioned you're age...better still when you're out .... just take some younger crew?!

Jeff · 06 June 2021, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickter

Has anyone fitted a bow roller,We have a xs500 with rubber channel over bow but chain and rope rub on front of rubbing strip,want to fit bow roller like on hard boats.
Had a Compass Rib that had a roller and cleat attached to a f/glass mounting which was then mounted on tube .
Can`t seem to find anything suitable ,
welcome any suggestions.
Thanks Mick.

... this ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152689235822

.... I have one I used and replaced with a moulded bow step .. make me an offer ... in very good /near new condition

mickter · 07 June 2021, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

... this ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152689235822

.... I have one I used and replaced with a moulded bow step .. make me an offer ... in very good /near new condition

Could you send a pic please,
am interested at right price,would you take £50.
Cheers Mick.

Jeff · 08 June 2021, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickter

Could you send a pic please,
am interested at right price,would you take £50.
Cheers Mick.

Hi Mick ,,, I am away until 16th July but will send you a photo on return. £75 Inc postage seems fair,,, [emoji6]