MacGregorSailors.com

Blue Water Yachts sells an anchor roller for 26Xs (100.00). Anybody have comments/opinions concerning use and
installation?

I brought one for my new 2000X works fine

Works like a champ. Super simple to install and looks great.

We had the anchor roller that BWY's installed on our 26M but replaced it with a longer one by 8 inches when we added a pully on the new roller's metal loup to handle the tack line for the a-spinnaker http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm42 ... ure001.jpg . We like the new longer roller it handles having a #14 danforth anchor setting on it very well where the smaller one did not. I have the shorter one for sale cheep.

Bubba: where did you purchase the longer roller? I like that better than the shorter one. Was if difficult to install (meaning extra drilling of holes )



Allan

West Marine a couple years ago in the fall I bought it as a clearence item for $54.00 but I think they are about $100.00. normally. It is about 2 inches wide and a little more than a foot long. I used the existing 2 holes from the shorter one and drilled one new bolt hole. You will need to remove the flat cover inside the bow while lieing on the bow burth to get to the bolts, it was not a big job. I sealed the bolts with calk and it was done.

The roller BWY sells for the X is not intended to be used for storing an anchor on the bow. It is really just a fairlead for the anchor rode when raising and lowering.

I installed a larger roller on my X that is intended to actually store an anchor all the time. Here is my system that has worked well for the last 10 years. It consists of the roller on the bow and a bracket on the bow pulpit. It carries two anchors, both ready to launch at any time, no setup required. The locker is divided so neither rode is on top of the other. The anchors stay in these locations both on the water and when trailering. The roller was only about $50 at west marine.

The bow roller


A 16.5# Bruce style on the roller and a G16 Guardian aluminum danforth style on the pulpit.


Divided locker for the two rodes.


It allows me to carry two different style anchors that cover all the possible bottom types. Both anchors can be used independently with out any interference and, as I often do, both can be used at the same time.

Yes that's it, just like that !!! The anchor locker is neater than mine though.

your locker is great. tell us, do you have the end of your rode's tied off and if so, how did you do it? would you still have the part numbers to the Anchor mounts?

I know the roller is a Windline, but I don't have the exact part number.

The ends of my rodes are tied off. While I was inside changing my bow cleats from plastic to SS and installing the anchor roller, I also installed a eye bolt on the back end of the locker. Both rode bitter ends are tie to it. I doubt it would be strong enough to hold a high load of the boat pulling directly on it without ripping out the fiberglass as the locker pan is not that thick, but at least it will stop the line from going overboard if I do something stupid.

For those wondering, here is what the inside looks like on an X

http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=277

Duane, dont forget to mention that you moved the nav lights to the sides of the cabin to clear the bow for that hardware.... good idea!

We installed 2 rings inside the anchor locker to tie the bitterends of the 2 anchor rodes to. Each ring base has 3 bolts thru the locker in the bow end of the locker high enough to not cause any leaks. This works great for us.

This is a belated response to Waterbear's original post. I somehow missed this thread, notwithstanding that I purchased a BWY bow roller around that time. When it arrived, I was generally impressed by the welding and craftsmanship, except for the fact that there appeared to be a shortage of mounting hardware in the box. Then I read the installation instructions (below). I was struck by three things: 1. The method for routing the wire. 2. The fact that my '01X does not have a bow access panel (First, I would have to make
my own). 3. No problem. I may not have to go in there anyway according to them! I put the project on hold because much of this runs
against my grain. But I am willing to listen. You be the judge. Comments welcome.

For Boats With The Bow Light Mounted On Deck:

1. Carefully remove the bow light from the boat, being certain not to damage the wiring or the small plastic mounting pegs.

2. Clean off the old sealant from under the light.

3. Carefully pull the wiring for the light out as far as it will come easily. DON'T PULL HARD. Occationally, the wiring can get tangled on the flotation foam in the bow compartment. If this happens, you will need to remove the cover from the foam compartment above
the V-berth inside the boat and temporarily remove enough foam to get to the wire and free it up.

4. Using a small file (round is best, but square will also work), file a groove in the in the fiberglass from the wire exit hole to the port
side of the deck. This will allow the wire to run under the bow roller without being pinched.

5. Place the bow roller assembly in place and mark the location of the three mounting holes. Drill 3/16" holes at these locations.

6. Using 3M 5200 or similar urethane sealant, thoroughly seal around the holes you drilled and the old mounting holes for the light.

7. Install the roller using the 1/4" (14x1 PHPSMS) screws provided (Yes! These screws are MORE than strong enough. The deck is very
thick and there is no need to tear the boat apart to use thru bolts).

8. Tighten the screws that hold the bow light bracket to the roller. Install the light on the bracket by passing the wires through the
notch in the side of the bracket and then retightening the mounting bolt on the light.

Oldsalt:
First .. I didn't buy my boat from BWY . I bought it from Bill @ Boats 4 Sail..
So I have no reason to Push Them Up or Push Them Down.
BWY is one of the largest dealers of this boat.
There by, they have a lot of customers and many of whom are members of this board.
TTBOMK I have never read here or on any of the other boards, about issues with installations, either done by them or with the Options they sell for DIY 'ers..
You've held this item for a couple years ..... call them... everything I have read about them says the are no less than..... courteous and helpful.
Ask them if they are still suggesting the same install directions..
If they say yes ? I would be tempted to believe them..

Thats A Big No No. I'd never install a bow roller with just screws even the factory through bolts its bow roller ! theirs a lot of stress & pressure put onto that bowroller when the boat is pitching in mild sea's never mild foul weather & If you don't beleive me just ask anyone who has got their hand caught between the anchor rode & the roller ! No Not me

J