Bow Roller Recommendations

[kmd007]

Hi. I am brand new to the Forum and have a lot to learn. I just bought a '93 250 EC and need to replace the bow roller. Just took a look at the through bolts and wondered who, or what, the heck could fit in there to reach them?! There has to be a better way.
Anyway, the current one is missing the part that tips forward (I'm guessing that's what it did) and there's no way to identify it for parts. Any recommendations on a replacement? I am thinking of getting a plow anchor. I appreciate your input and time.

 

[Alex F]

I've used this one with good success.

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[Lazy Daze]

Without seeing more pics on access, can't really help with that. But often times, working on boats, you'll be doing things one-handed and blind. Sometimes you need to get a little creative. The other option is to cut an access hole and then use a pie plate to cover it back up.

 

[kmd007]

My apologies. As I said in my post, "I have a lot to learn". What I tried to ask was about the Bow Anchor Roller.
I did a lot of searching for parts for the piece that is still on the bow, but couldn't find anything similar. Even Google Lens came up empty (for what it's worth). Any recommendations or preferences on a Bow Anchor Roller for a 1993 Express Cruiser 250? I bought a 14lb. plow anchor which, from what I read, is good for sandy and muddy bottoms.
Thank you.

 

[Johnc3211]

I also have a 93 250 EC with a bow roller and bracket similar to this . https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url...ved=0CBIQjhxqFwoTCOCI_PGn-4EDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

Mine is made with 1/8 inch stainless that was bent when I bought the boat a couple of years ago. I took it off to straighten it. It was held on with 1/4 inch bolts. To get to the nuts inside the bow pulpit I worked through the anchor locker door. I taped a ratchet with socket inside a piece of conduit pipe and reached up to the front while my wife turned the bolts from the outside. Getting them back in was a pain but the socket held the nuts and we just kept trying until we had them started and tight. This summer I added a new 14# Delta anchor and windlass. The anchor seems to stow just fine without any trouble although I think I am going to replace my bracket with the one I got with the windlass because it is heaver stainless. Also my existing bracket hangs out over the end of the nose by about a foot which makes it a little too wobbly for my liking.

 

[kmd007]

Thanks for your response, John. Unfortunately, the link you provided doesn't work, but that's great advice on reaching those bolts. I will need to keep tabs on my blood pressure while I attempt that.
The boat currently has a Horizon 400 Windlass. It operates, but I don't know if it will function under the weight of the anchor, since I'm currently without the bow anchor roller. Can you share what Windlass you purchased? You mentioned it came with a bow roller, was it a kit of some kind? Sorry for all of the questions! I appreciate your time.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Hold the rope back - does the windlass pull you in?

You might find an anchor that will work (well enough anyways) with that existing chute. Just pop a new roller in the front - and those are very easy to find - even a trailer roller will do the job. It won't last as long as a true anchor roller as those are usually made of Delrin - but unless you're anchoring every day, you'll get years out of a trailer roller.

 

[kmd007]

Thank you!

 

[Johnc3211]

Try this Amazon link.

https://a.co/d/cvlYCw6

It is similar to mine but mine is thinner metal and mounted out over the nose of the boat. I bought a used Lewmar Pro 700 from a guy who took it off his boat. He threw in the roller bracket that is heavier than the one on the boat. You could try to rig up some kind of roller on your bracket to see if the anchor will unload
itself from your bracket. Like Laze Daze says new rollers are easy to get and easier than a new bracket. My bracket has a single roller and the anchor wants to fall out as soon as you hit the down button. It has no problem retracting up on the roller as long as you sort of bump it up the last foot or so.