bow roller placement

[Jim Bunnell]

I have an '03 26M. Dealer sent me the bow roller that was added to the standard boat, but no placement information. Does anyone have a picture of a newer bow with roller, or is anyone willing to send approximate measurements? Does it lie tight and parallel with the stem, or is there a setback or angle involved?

Thanks

Jim Bunnell

[craiglaforce]

I think I rember seeing some bow roller photos in the mods section. BUt they were no doubt on X's . Maybe they will help give you an idea anyway.

[Jim Bunnell]

Good idea, Craig. Thanks

[Frank C]

Sorry, Jim, I haven't seen installation on an M. In fact, have only seen the M in a couple of boat shows, and don't remember specifics at the bow. In case it's useful perspective, we positioned the roller on my 26X just stb of the forestay and parallel to the centerline. Since the roller is ~2 inches wide, the anchor's shaft is offset from the bow by an inch. This presents no problem in hanging my Bulwagga. (If you wanted to angle the roller just off-center, I guess that would work too). It requires two persons to install, and it is heavily founded (at least by my estimation) using this process:

• * position roller and anchor
  * determine bolting measurements
  * determine external clearances to bow, furler drum, forestay tab, etc.
  * determine internal clearances as best possible
  * mark external holes, pilot drill
  * fabricate backing plates (1/4" aluminum)
  * endure an hour of cramped and twisted efforts to bed, back & secure

My BRM roller has its top edges flanged outward. By bending the port flange erect, we could nestle it ~1/4" closer to centerline. We also added a cross-beam backing plate for the bow cleats, which also serves as aft backing plate for the bow roller. The resulting roller is strong enough to "lift the boat" but I don't permit the anchor rode to rest there overnight, for potential of twisting and chafe (no over-top bail to contain the rode). I just cleat the rode directly, better yet to bridle it. The roller was installed by Eric Lowe, so he may have other hints for you.

[mgg4]

Frank,

I have a CDI FF2 furler on my X. Do you think your placement of the bow roller would conflict with the furling drum? Would I have to mount farther to starboard, and would I then need to remove the starboard bow cleat?

Just curious if you have any opinions or helpful hints here.

--Mark

[Paul S]

There is a pic on my site (click www on my profile). It is in "Early pics", then "Our 2004M" which is not our hull btw

I don't have a pic from the deck though.

Paul

[Frank C]

I have a CDI FF2 furler on my X. Do you think your placement of the bow roller would conflict with the furling drum? Would I have to mount farther to starboard, and would I then need to remove the starboard bow cleat? ...

Mark, depends on which roller you choose, but I think none of the smaller ones would interfere with my furling drum at all.

[Andy26M]

My 2004 26M has the bow roller immediately to starboard of the forestay attachment, parallel to the centerline.

I have the CDI FF2 roller furler, and this placement for the roller is not optimal. As I pay out the chain, it runs against the furler drum. When pulling up the anchor, you have to stay low and heave from a less-than-most-effective position if you want to keep the line/chain from hopping off the roller.

It is not a huge issue, but somewhere low on my list of improvements is to figure out if I can offset this further to the right, or at an angle, or add a guide to it, or something to improve it.

Bottom line, I would not worry too much about where the factory puts it, but rather put it where you see it will work the best.

Regards,
AndyS

[Jim Bunnell]

Paul-

Your collection of photos is great. The 2004 series includes a couple of good shots of the bow roller

Thanks

Jim

[Frank C]

. . . When pulling up the anchor, you have to stay low and heave from a less-than-most-effective position if you want to keep the line/chain from hopping off the roller. . .

Andy,
I don't have any problem such as you described. I didn't plan for it, but simple serendipity of roller choices might have saved me. Perhaps it's due to the BRM's roller slot (see above) which provides a deep channel to contain the rode and chain during the lift. (Incidently, the BRM slot is intended to firmly lock-down and stow a Bruce-style anchor, but I don't use or need the slot for that function).

Lifting the anchor was always an ordeal before adding the roller. My first hoist across the roller, I was very pleasantly surprised ... smooth running, and vastly easier (on lower back) than hanging over the pulpit. Impending installers might want to look at the BRM style for this operating aspect.

[mgg4]

Mark, depends on which roller you choose, but I think none of the smaller ones would interfere with my furling drum at all.

I was hoping to put a Bruce-style anchor on "Offline", so the BRM is probably the roller I would choose. I may have asked you this before, but I'm hoping to get some insights from anyone who might have an answer.

--Mark

[Paul S]

Here is a topside shot of the roller as installed on our M. Funny they didn't include a pin to secure the anchor line in the roller, there is a hole for it. No biggie..just SOP for Macgregor I guess.



Paul

[Jim Bunnell]

Thanks Paul = exactly what I was looking for.

Jim