dual bow rollers

[JanisK]

As my CQR anchor needs replacing (I'm getting a Sarca #8 http://www.anchorright.com.au/downloads/sarca_flyer.pdf ) and will likely need to replace the bow roller/bowsprit assembly I have been debating with myself whether I should get a dual roller bowsprit.

I am new to anchoring - mostly berth or run up onto a beach - but have aspirations of coastal cruising so will need to get that experience and knowledge.* Having read Earl Hinz' book on anchoring with his advice on using dual bow anchors on some occasions and using a snubber too it seems a second roller would be very handy.

What surprises me is that despite widespread googling I cant find any.* What does the forum think?

[7tiger7]

Here is a picture of the set up on my 43' Marine Trader.
Port side anchor is a CQR on about 15' of chain, then nylon rode.
Stbd anchor is a Bruce, on 250' of all chain rode.

The windless has a gypsy for nylon rode on port side, chain for starboard. So far I've always anchored with the Bruce, but no problems so far. Only problem I've had is on a mooring, where the pennant hangs up on the Bruce if the wind is light or shifts.

[dwhatty]

Looks like you have triple rollers?

[7tiger7]

Well, technically, yes.
The pulpit has two built in rollers, the CQR is on the port roller, stbd roller remains empty (I run the snubber line through there and to the samson post). Then there is a stainless roller bolted on top of the pulpit, just a hair to stbd of center line - the Bruce rests there.

[koliver]

Gemma:

Are you planning on mounting two anchors at the same time? Some do, obviously, so need a separate roller for each. Most use only one anchor at a time, so only need a single roller. I mount only one anchor on the roller. The spare resides in the lazarette, where it acts as ballast.

[markpierce]

7tiger7 wrote:
Stbd anchor is a Bruce, on 250' of all chain rode.

*Be prepared for Marin telling you the Bruce is no good.

[7tiger7]

Is that where the song "Don't bring me down, Bruce" is from?
I didn't know Marin was a famous 70's singer

[2bucks]

OK, pop quiz, Where is Marins Bruce anchor? Or what does he say he uses it for?

First correct answer gets a free drink whenever they see me.

Ken


-- Edited by 2bucks on Saturday 11th of February 2012 08:46:38 PM

[pull]

I think he uses it as a door stop in his garage.

Mike
Palm Coast FL

[JanisK]

Keith (and others)
I was thinking to use a single anchor mostly and use the second roller for the snubber on those occasions. However should a storm situation arise I could the second roller to run a second anchor from the bow to have a forked or hammerlock moor. Without a second roller it would, I imagine, be more problematic how to drop, operate, retrieve and tie off a second anchor as I wouldnt be able to do so from the bowsprit. Or am I missing something and am completely on the wrong track?

Thanks for your help.

Janis

[Tidahapah]

Janis,
I have a double roller set up on Tidahapah but only carry my primo anchor on the port roller (suits the chain gypsy), Prime anchor is a SARCA Excel #8.
My snubber lays over the same roller.
The secondary roller is for a second anchor if required or for the reef pick (s/s star anchor) this has 10 mts chain and all rope rode. on a retrival buoy system.

Mostly in strong winds up in the Swains and coast reef areas, if I am pre warned re strong winds I attach a second anchor on the front of my primary anchor with about 10/15 mts chain and bed it well in. I carry my secondary anchors in the lazzerette, a 45 lb plough and a large s/s danforth anchor.

[JanisK]

Benn
Thanks for your input. Is your dual roller bowsprit a combined dual production model, custom made or two separate fittings? I havent been able to find any already made dual roller products on the net and as my timber bowsprit that the roller/s will be mounted on is only 20cm wide I cant accommodate two separate units. Any suggested suppliers?

Are you happy with your Sarca Excel #8 - same as I am planning to get? Also if you have a separate roller/bowsprit for your Sarca 8 is it a Sarca W5 or a W6? Im being told that a W6 is better?

Sorry for the lots of questions.
Cheers
Janis

[psneeld]

Gemma wrote:
Keith (and others)
I was thinking to use a single anchor mostly and use the second roller for the snubber on those occasions. However should a storm situation arise I could the second roller to run a second anchor from the bow to have a forked or hammerlock moor. Without a second roller it would, I imagine, be more problematic how to drop, operate, retrieve and tie off a second anchor as I wouldnt be able to do so from the bowsprit. Or am I missing something and am completely on the wrong track?

Thanks for your help.

Janis

*Many cruisers strongly suggest NOT anchoring from the bowsprit during storm conditions.* They have seen too*many broken ones.* Having personally never been through a big storm while on my boat or in a harbor hit by one, I have never seen widespread bowsprit damage (though looking at many boats I can see it happening).

Many posters in this forum if using all chain rode put the legs of their snubbers through chocks/hawsepipes before securing on deck.* They just let the chail lay loose over the roller.

[FF]

Most cruisers will use 2 bow rollers , to hold anchots of a different style.

A CQR that buries with say a Danforth or Bruce with larger fluke area.

The CQR is needed in weeds .

Contemplate a trip line to a small buoy. This will show all later anchoring folks where your anchors are , to not foul you.

The line is also great in a foul bottom to get your anchors back.

[timjet]

Just a quick question guys. For you folks who have a twin anchor setup on your bow is the purpose for the two anchors to allow you to choose which anchor you want depending on the type of bottom or to give you the ability to set two anchors easily?

If you are setting two anchors, it would seem a bit difficult to do that from the bow. I would be concerned about fowling the first anchor line as I was attempting to set the second.
My second anchor a fortress is stowed in the swim platform box and the one time I set a second anchor I used the dinghy to set it. This setup seems to work but more work.

[Keith]

Here's my setup. Primary is the Spade to Starboard.

[psneeld]

timjet wrote:
Just a quick question guys. For you folks who have a twin anchor setup on your bow is the purpose for the two anchors to allow you to choose which anchor you want depending on the type of bottom or to give you the ability to set two anchors easily?

If you are setting two anchors, it would seem a bit difficult to do that from the bow. I would be concerned about fowling the first anchor line as I was attempting to set the second.
My second anchor a fortress is stowed in the swim platform box and the one time I set a second anchor I used the dinghy to set it. This setup seems to work but more work.

*More so for a second anchor.* If a different bottom, the two anchors I would use would be a danforth for softer bottoms and a grapple for rocky.* The second anchor on the bow is more of a backup because it's similar...probably my smaller delta after I buy a newer, much bigger*manson.

[Peter B]

Jan, you have chosen a great anchor. I use the size 6 (22kg) Super Sarca, (but the Excel was not out when I got mine), and although it looks a bit agricultural, by crikey, it works. The Excel is supposed to be as good or even a bit better in holding power, so in my view, (and experience, with these type of anchors as well, you might say), I don't think you need worry about a double system in your case. It does not sound like you are planning world cruising, so a good primary set-up is the way to go. It would be expensive to try and replace your bowsprit, and as you say it is not wide enough for two full sized rollers side by side. My advice is get the appropriately sized Sarca roller assembly, and maybe mount it slightly off-centre for reasons explained below. Then if you don't have hawse pipes either side of the bow to pass a snubber sling through, ie one from each side meeting at the chain hook, then you can just pass a single snubber out under the retaining bar to hook it on the chain. With a Sarca and all chain rode, for what you are planning to do, I doubt you'll ever need a second anchor they are that good, but if you ever do, Benn's method of attaching it in front of your main anchor with a few extra metres of chain is probably the best way. That or having an anchor buddy to place on the rode and let down. I actually modified my bow roller assembly before I bought the Sarca, so don't have one of theirs, as I got a hinged assembly and fitted it inside and in place of the original old bronze one because it had no retainer, and the damn CQR I later replaced used to sometimes jump out of the roller and dent the gun'l. Actually, what I do have is a smaller secondary single roller alongside the main, (hence the mid-line offset idea), which in most (light) weather situations I pass the snubber over, to avoid the hassle of passing it through he main roller, (and a possible jamming if up anchoring in a hurry or at night), and you could probably do that also. 20cm would cope with that I think - compare with my pics below, especially if you don't have a hawse pipe each side of the bow to allow use of a snubber bridle. In all the years we've been anchoring, on only one occasion was that secondary roller not up to the task, and I just dropped the snubber into the space between it and the main roller assembly when it blew up, rather than muck around in the dark trying to pass it through the main roller. Interestingly, that same blow saw a yacht nearby jam its snubber hook, and therefore the anchor chain as well, in the bow roller, trying to do a quick up-anchor because it was dragging, and they ended up aground....

Oh, and yes - old pics, so I have taken one swivel off now.

[Puffin_NT32]

Here's my setup on a 32' Nordic Tug. *The primary is a 35# Delta with 200' of chain, with the LoFrans Tigres mounted offset for a straight pull on the chain gypsy. *My secondary roller lines up with the rope drum. *in this picture is a 27# Simpson folding anchor, but I've replaced that with a 15# Bruce. *I use the Bruce with 150' of 1/2" brait for fishing and a lunch hook in calm conditions. *Note the chain snubber coming up through the chocks. *The Delta with chain has proven to be sufficient in most cases, but if I need to anchor up in severe weather (which I avoid), I carry 30' of chain that I can attach to the folding Simpson to the Delta in a tandem rig.
*

[HopCar]

The most important thing to have when anchoring is pretty anchor attendants like 7tiger7 has.