Anchor Roller Morning Star

[John Flanzer]

Our anchor would bind on the roller furler when deploying and it was always a bit of a struggle to set anchor taking care not to pinch our fingers while wrestling it free of the furler.

We removed the existing roller and purchased a pivoting anchor roller. Unfortunately, we had to purchase the entire assembly rather than just the pivoting arm. We altered the pivot arm by removing the loop and spreading the anchor guide tabs to allow room for a swivel. The location of the bolt (axis of rotation) was experimented with by using a plywood mockup. The anchor is now self-deploying.

 

[Warren Holybee]

Interesting. I have seen pivoting bow rollers in catalogs, but never on a boat. Let us know how it works. I have not had issues deploying or recovering my anchor. I don't think Morgans came with a bow roller, so whatever you had was custom.

This is a part that needs to be very strong. My bow roller is pretty massive, shaped like a vee extending almost a foot on either side of the bulwarks from the bow. Held in place by 12 bolts, 6 on each side. It still managed to get ripped off the bow in less than ideal conditions. Though well designed, whoever installed it only screwed it into the bulwarks, but did not though bolt any of the bolts. With a heck of a lot of difficulty, I managed to though bolt 6 of the bolts.

 

[John Flanzer]

Interesting. I have seen pivoting bow rollers in catalogs, but never on a boat. Let us know how it works. I have not had issues deploying or recovering my anchor. I don't think Morgans came with a bow roller, so whatever you had was custom.

This is a part that needs to be very strong. My bow roller is pretty massive, shaped like a vee extending almost a foot on either side of the bulwarks from the bow. Held in place by 12 bolts, 6 on each side. It still managed to get ripped off the bow in less than ideal conditions. Though well designed, whoever installed it only screwed it into the bulwarks, but did not though bolt any of the bolts. With a heck of a lot of difficulty, I managed to though bolt 6 of the bolts.

I guess it was a good thing that your roller was not integrated as a single fabrication with the stem head fitting as it is on some boats! Mine is not also.

I noticed in this 384 brochure that the boat pictured has an anchor roller, no anchor locker, and no windlass. Perhaps they changed from locker to roller depending on the year, or vice versa. I wish mine had been as pictured as it would have saved my having to reconstruct the deck. The pivoting roller is working well. The anchor almost always self deploys and no longer gets caught on the furler drum.

 

[terry_thatcher]

The 382s came with rollers made by a machine shop in Florida. 25 years ago, the guy would make the rollers for either side of the bow so we could have two. H wasn't making money out of it and stopped doing it. Mine have multiple bolts as well. Typical Morgan: no backing plates. I fixed that a few years ago.

I notice, John, that you have an anchor swivel. I have always been advised to use only an American made galvanized shackle as strong, at least, as your chain. This from John Harries (Attainable Adventure Cruising) and Practical Sailor (before it became just a web site). Just thought I would pass on the caution. It is not meant as a personal criticism.

 

[John Flanzer]

Thanks for the heads up.

uphttps://www.mantusmarine.com/mantus-swivel/?v=28886f13f578.

I went with this Mantus swivel. I will keep a close eye on it and retire it sooner rather than later.

 

[yurek]

I'm using this swivel for 5 years and I'm living on my boat. Well build and designed.
If you anchor in the mud you have to wash it after you retrive your anchor.
Old mud can block the swivel motion.

 

[John Flanzer]

I'm using this swivel for 5 years and I'm living on my boat. Well build and designed.
If you anchor in the mud you have to wash it after you retrive your anchor.
Old mud can block the swivel motion.

Thanks Yurek. Good to know. We use a saltwater wash down while hoisting for the chain and anchor.