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How to Select the Best Bow Roller for Your Anchor and Boat

Storing a large bulky piece of metal like an anchor can sometimes be tricky. In this article, we'll discuss the most popular options for storing your anchor, including using a bow pulpit, anchor roller, or anchor well.

Anchor Well or Other Storage Compartment

Many boats, especially smaller ones, come with an anchor well at the front of the boat to store an anchor and rode. For those that don't have a built in well, under the captain's seat is also a popular location for a quasi anchor well! If your boat has an anchor well, it's the most logical place to store your anchor. The main downside to using an anchor well is that the anchor needs to be retrieved from the well for use and they're normally built to accommodate only folding flat anchors like a Danforth, opposed to other bulkier anchors like a Bruce or Delta. If using a windlass, you'll want the anchor to be permanently fixed to the bow of the boat, making the use of an anchor well impractical.

Anchor Well Pros and Cons

• Keeps the anchor out of the way
• Convenient as often requires no installation of additional hardware
• Difficult to store many non-flat anchors like Bruce, Rocna, Delta, etc.
• Anchor cannot be easily deployed
• Can't use a windlass

If you're so lucky, your boat will come with a bow pulpit, which is a protrusion at the bow of your boat specifically for holding an anchor. Pre-installed bow pulpits are normally constructed from fiberglass but do-it-yourselfers will often construct them from teak or marine lumber.

Because a bow pulpit mounts the anchor further away from the bow of the boat, it allows for a wider range of sizes and styles of anchors to be used (the design of plow and claw style anchors often requires for them to be mounted a fair distance from the bow of the boat). A bow pulpit keeps your boat cleaner as it doesn't involve muddy chain and rope being dragged up the deck of your boat and they offer convenient access to your anchor (especially important for use with windlasses). For better or worse, a bow pulpit adds to the overall length of your boat, which is nice if you're selling your boat but not so nice if you have to pay for an extra 2' of moorage because of the pulpit.

Bow Pulpit Pros and Cons

• Keeps the anchor far away from the bow, allowing for a larger range of of anchor sizes/styles to be mounted
• Provides quick and easy access to your anchor
• Ideal for use with windlasses
• Expensive to install
• Adds to the overall length of your boat (meaning more moorage fees)

Standalone Bow Roller

The happy medium between an expensive after-market bow pulpit or simply storing your anchor in an anchor well, is to use a standalone anchor roller.

Many boats come with an anchor roller pre-installed, however, if your boat did not, they can generally be simply installed on to the bow of your boat. A bow roller functions in much the same way as a bow pulpit, allowing you to keep your anchor permanently mounted on the front of your boat. The bow roller can be used for storing the anchor but it also makes retrieving the anchor by hand much easier.

There's often a limit to how far a standalone bow roller can protrude off the bow of your boat meaning there can be limits of the size and style of anchor you can use.

Standalone Bow Roller Pros and Cons

• Allows for easier retrieval of the anchor
• There are often limits to the size and style of anchor you can use
• Doesn't keep the anchor as far away as a pulpit, meaning mud/dirt may be strewn across your deck upon retrieval and the anchor may potentially bang the hull when stored

Tips on Selecting a Bow Roller

Picking the right bow roller for your boat is predicated largely by what size and style of anchor you are using. Most bow roller manufacturers will give you a selection guide for the most popular styles and sizes of anchors. However, the most important things to keep in mind when selecting a bow roller are:

• Does the bow roller keep the anchor an adequate amount of distance away from the boat?
• Can the shank fit through the loop of the roller?

In our experience, Danforth/Fortress, CQR, and Delta anchors generally fit interchangeably on an anchor roller such as the   Universal Bow Roller. Bruce/Claw anchors can fit on similar bow rollers as CQR and Delta anchors, but fit well on a special type of specific   Bruce Anchor Roller.

When purchasing a bow roller, keep in mind how much mounting room you will need (again, most manufacturers should include a diagram of this). Installing a bow roller is a fairly basic installation undertaken by even the most novice do-it-yourselfer. Installation normally takes just 2-4 bolts mounted, through the fore-deck (gasp- holes!). A mounting plate should be used.

Remember when using a windlass and a bow roller, the windlass should not be holding the weight of your stored anchor for long periods of time as this creates unnecessary stress and the anchor can potentially be released unexpectedly. Instead, either tie the chain/rope to a cleat or use a chain stopper.

Published May 01, 2018

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Boat Anchor Rollers & Bow Plates

A good boat anchor roller keeps your anchor line running smoothly, whether you're dropping anchor or weighing it. Great Lakes Skipper's huge inventory of discount new and replacement boat parts and hardware includes stainless steel boat anchor rollers, anchor pulpit housings, and marine anchor roller housings made by Windline, Dive N Dog, Challenger Industries, Sea Dog, Kingston, and more.

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Mantus Stern Anchor Bracket

Mantus Universal Stern Anchor Bracket

• This universal bracket allows you to store an anchor of any design on the rail in the cockpit or on the bow
• The rollers adjust and allow you to customize the bracket and anchor rail mount to snugly secure the shank of any design
• The tight flitting rollers eliminate any movement, yet the anchor easily slides into the customized bracket
• Made from Polished 316 L Stainless Steel

In an emergency it is often difficult to deploy the boats main anchor quickly enough, especially when short on crew. The Mantus Stern Anchor Bracket allows you to have an emergency anchor on the push-pit right next to the skipper, all rigged and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. This boat anchor rail mount is just the contingency plan you need.

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CALL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS: WITHIN THE US: 1-855-262-6887 BEYOND THE US: 469-226-3468 / 469-878-4083

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• Anchor and Dock

Anchor Rollers & Mounts

Anchor rollers & mounts how-tos, installing anchor rollers.

Anchor rollers play a crucial role in marine anchoring systems; their main purpose is to keep the anchor chain and rode in place for a steady guide. It stretches over the bow of the boat and safely separates the chain and the rode. Assembling and installing an anchor roller is an extensive but straightforward process, and with professional/additional assistance, you should have no problem putting this together.

Required Items

• Anchor roller
• Teak Panel (1/2-inch thick)
• Bedding caulk
• 3 Stainless Steel Bolts
• 3 Stainless Spacers
• 3 Stainless Nuts
• Drill Bits (3/8 and 1/2-inch)
• Marine Plywood
• Epoxy Resin
• End Wrenches
• 1+ Assistant(s)

Instructions

1. Set the boat at a level position in an environment that is convenient and easy to move around without things getting in the way. Place the roller on the deck of the bow, and then set the mounting surface in place as far back as possible.

2. Center the mounting bracket so it is perfectly in between the port and starboard sides of the bow. The felt pen will come in handy here—use it to outline the bracket's position on the deck and mark locations for the drill holes. Also, draw the outline of the mounting bracket on the teak panel AND the plywood.

3. Cut the teak and plywood panels in the shape of the outlines you drew. Place the teak panel underneath the mounting bracket and stick a drill bit into the mounting holes. Then repeat the process with the plywood. Use a drill and bits to drill the holes through the teak and plywood panels.

4. Drill three mounting holes into the bow deck with the half-inch drill bit. Tape the bottom of the holes, so they are closed off.

5. Pour epoxy resin into the top side of the holes. Let the epoxy rest for a while so that when you remove the tape from the holes, the resin will not leak.

6. Lay down one thick coat of bedding caulk on both sides of the teak panel, and then line it up with the drill holes.

7. Set the anchor roller over the teak and install three stainless steel bolts through the drilled holes.

8. Apply bedding caulk to one side only of the plywood panel (a second pair of hands in this process is extremely helpful).

9. With the help of an assistant, set the sticky side of the plywood down over the mounting bolts.

10. Hold down the mounting bolts and shove the plywood panel against the underside of the bow deck.

11. Place one spacer and one nut on each bolt and then tighten everything securely.

12. Use the end wrench to hold the bolt heads from the topside, while your assistant tightens all of the nuts with their wrench. Be sure to keep the mounting bracket centered throughout this process.

13. Once the roller is tight and secure, clear all excess bedding caulk from the deck and bottom.

14. Let epoxy resin and bedding caulk dry for at least 24 hours.

*We do recommend consulting with a mechanic or technician before and during this process.

• Boat Anchors 10 items
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10 Budget Boat Upgrades That Catch Fish

• By Alan Jones
• September 2, 2024

Want to catch more fish, but don’t have a fortune to spend on the latest sonar, carbon-fiber outriggers, or a pair of high-dollar shallow-water anchors? Not to worry. You can enjoy ­many practical angling upgrades without maxing out your credit cards or dipping into your 401(k). Here are 10 budget-friendly upgrades that can help you catch more fish. 

Stayput Anchor Pole

The gold standards for shallow-­water anchoring are systems like the Power-Pole Blade and Minn Kota Talon. You press a button on the console or a wireless remote, and twin poles ­electronically plunge downward to quickly and ­stealthily hold a boat in place. But what if you don’t have the $2,200 needed to buy these systems? For a fraction of the price, the Stayput ­anchor pole is a manual system that gets the job done. A metal sleeve attaches to the motor mount, transom or bow, and the user jams a fiberglass pole through it and into the seafloor ­to quickly and securely hold a boat in place. $260 to $360; stayputanchor.com

Flat Line Boom Outriggers 

Chances are, if you own a new boat 28 feet or longer, you have the funds needed to spring for a state-of-the-art carbon-fiber or titanium outrigger system. But if you own a smaller boat or possess an even smaller budget, there are scant few inexpensive options that work well. An exception is the Flat Line Boom system that features a pair of surprisingly well-made, compact aluminum outriggers that extend 6 feet outward on each side, which is a reasonable solution for smaller boats. The bases fit inside a standard rod holder and lock in place ­securely. They use any standard release clip, and to connect the line, you just grab the boom and swing it back and inward. $149 per pair; flatlineboom.com

Magma Cutting Board

Many boats don’t have a rigging station for cutting bait or cleaning fish, Magma solves that problem with a 31-inch-wide cutting board that comes with storage slots for items like pliers and fillet knives. A LeveLock mounting system allows the table to mount securely in standard rod holders of different angles to keep the board level. There’s a ruler for measuring fish, with walls that help steady the fish and make the job easy. A slotted back wall allows overboard drainage for quick cleanup. $160; magmaproducts.com

SeaSucker Pro Rod Holders

What boat doesn’t need more rod holders? SeaSucker’s Pro Series rod holders use industrial-­strength suction cups to securely position a trio of holders that can hold items like rods, gaffs or boat hooks anywhere you need them so you don’t need to pay a rigging shop to add rod holders to your boat or T-top. The beauty of this system is it’s easy to move it quickly, so it can be placed at the stern on the run to the fishing grounds, then moved forward and out of the way once you arrive. $199; ­ seasucker.com

Read Next: Price Boat or Premium Boat?

BerleyPro Electronics Visor 

Fish-finder/GPS displays can be challenging to read in direct sunlight and can create reflected glare in the front windshield at night, so BerleyPro solves that problem by providing custom-built, manufacturer-specific visors that fit a wide variety of screens. In addition to allowing the user to save battery power by reducing screen intensity during the day, they also offer additional protection from the elements. $34 to $99; berleypro.com

Cisco Track Mounting System

Track mounting systems like the one from Cisco offer anglers the most versatile, easy way to add accessories like rod holders, cleaning tables, downrigger bases, tool holders and cup holders. The accessory bases slide in the track, so they can mount exactly where needed or be removed quickly when not needed. The tracks come in sizes from 6 inches to 7 feet long and can be mounted anywhere there is a flat surface, like on a gunwale or the back of a transom. If you aren’t too keen about drilling holes in your boat, the tracks can be gimbal-mounted ­using existing rod holders or attached to rails. Starting at $37; ciscofishingsystemsltd.com        

Bimini Rod Rack

Boats with Bimini tops lack the ability to add rocket-­launcher rod holders, but the Bimini rod rack offers a simple storage solution for up to three rods. It clips to the Bimini frame to provide overhead storage for rods and protect them from damage. $80; boatoutfitters.com

Cannon Uni-Troll 5 Manual Downrigger 

Often, target species are farther down in the water column and won’t feed on lures or baits trolled on the surface. Downriggers offer the perfect solution for presenting an offering right in front of a fish’s mouth, but fancy electric models like Cannon’s Electric Optimum can run up to $1,800. A more cost-­effective solution is Cannon’s Uni-Troll 5 manual downrigger. It offers one-hand deployment with a release lever that lowers the weight to the desired depth, as indicated on the three-­digit counter. Retrieval is fast, thanks to a 2-to-1 crank ­ratio. $280; cannon​.johnsonout​doors.com  

Minn Kota Riptide ­Trolling Motor

New-generation trolling ­motors are technological marvels that allow anglers to use them as virtual anchors, but that level of sophistication can cost up to $6,100. If all you need is something that will allow you to sneak into position at your favorite fishing spot or make slight adjustments while drifting, a no-frills Minn Kota Riptide transom-mount trolling motor gets the job done for a fraction of the price. Starting at $380; minnkota.johnson​outdoors.com  

Underwater Drain-Plug Light 

Nothing attracts fish at night like a green light, but these underwater lights ­usually require the boat owner or a shop to drill large holes in the transom. The underwater drain-plug light from IllumiSea is an elegantly simple solution that mounts in half-inch garboard drain-plug holes in a boat’s transom. With 12 LEDs, this unit puts out an impressive 4,400 lumens of light to bathe the water in a bright-green glow. It connects to a battery or a power panel with an 18-foot extension cord. You can remove it easily once the boat is on a trailer or in dry storage. $150; illumisea.com

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