Flywright I now understand why there is a "hinge" on the aft part of the Lewmar prefabricated bow roller as nearly the entire roller device sits inside the platform. (I assumed it would bolt to the top of the platform). Your images go a long way in helping me identify how I'll have the yard make, in my case, a glassed platform with a "sliced-out" area to nestle the stainless bow roller. Looks "yar" Flywright. Thanks!
Glad it helped, AFT. It was one of those modifications that I thought long and hard about. I was lucky enough to have some great friends in our office machine shop who were happy to lend their advice and assistance. I also gained tremendous insight by listening to the good folks here on TF.
I knew I wanted, as nearly as possible, a 'touchless' windlass to allow remote operation from either helm and only minimal bow attention such as operating the bow-mounted raw water anchor washdown or securing the rode after setting the anchor. It has become one of my favorite upgrades and gets used very regularly. I anchor almost every time out, multiple times while fishing.
There are many variables to consider including anchor locker size, depth and alignment, rode channel through deck into locker, windlass strength and mount reinforcement, cabling, water source for washdown, washdown layout and components, bow roller/pulpit integration, rode style, anchor compatibility, securing system when stowed, etc.
I found that I preferred to engineer and build it myself (with assistance) than to turn it over to a marina employee who had 'no skin in the game'. I was also able to eliminate the high costs associated with boat yard labor.
