All about Anchor Rollers

April 30, 2021

Wondering which anchor roller will work best for your boat? If so, then this article will help you to understand different types of anchor rollers for different anchors. Here is the list of anchors that you can pick for your boat.

Pulpit Anchor Roller

A boat pulpit is a set of boards attached to a boat’s front or bow, usually installed in a u-shaped configuration. Not to mention, bow inserts are also available in different models. This part of the boat has several functions. You can use it to secure the anchor rode, anchor, and power/windlass winch. People also use it as a mooring point to attach your boat to the deck. However, not every boat comes with a pulpit. Although boat pulpit is not a necessary feature, it helps you install anchor rollers. Pre-installed bow pulpits are usually made from fiberglass. But boat owners who build one themselves typically use teak or marine lumber.

You also need to know that the bow anchor roller helps you install your anchor slightly away from the boat's bow. This is why there is such a wide range of options in terms of the sizes and styles of anchors for your boat. The most common anchors for the pulpit are claw and plow style anchors that are specifically made to be mounted at a fair distance from the bow.

Why do You need to Choose It?

The benefit of using a bow pulpit is that it helps you to keep your boat clean, as it doesn't require muddy rope and chain that drags on the deck of your boat. Most importantly, it offers you convenient access to your anchor roller. Lastly, because of the bow pulpit, you don't need to cover some part of your boat to keep the anchor on it.

Deck Mount Anchor Roller

Deck mount anchor rollers are also one of the most common and popular rollers. These anchor rollers are ideal for larger boats. They also come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs. Deck mounted rollers are also available in both stainless steel and galvanized steel. If you are thinking about which one is the best, you must know that stainless steel is durable and last long in the marine environment. However, if you are looking for something on a budget, then go for galvanized anchor rollers.

The size of this bow anchor roller depends on the size of your anchor. A longer anchor needs a longer roller to get enough space for installation. These anchor rollers are also placed near the bow and do not cover space on the deck. Lastly, you can use these anchor rollers for claw or Bruce anchors.

Why do You Need to Choose It?

The primary reason people opt for this piece of boating equipment is that it has a simple roller attachment that helps you use it without any prior knowledge required. They also allow you to use several different types of anchors, making it one of the best options for your boat.

Anchor Well

Most boats, especially smaller ones, offer you an anchor well at the front part of the boat to store your rod and anchor. People who don’t have a built-in well can store their anchor under the captain’s seat. But if you have an anchor well, it is the most suitable place to store your anchor. Unfortunately, the anchor well has some downsides, which makes it unappealing to some people. The disadvantage of using an anchor well is that you need to manually retrieve the anchor from the well for use.

Another thing is that their placements are only perfect for folding flat anchors such as Danforth. You can't place other big and bulky anchors like a Delta or Bruce. So, if you want to opt for this method, you need to choose a small and flat anchor.

Why do You need to Use It?

It helps you keep the anchor out of your way and gives you space to do other tasks. In additio, this anchor roller works best for small boats. In that case, you don’t need to use heavier and big anchor rollers. Another thing to acknowledge is that you don’t need to install additional hardware for it. This is why it is much easy to use them than other types of anchor rollers.

Standalone Bow Roller

If you want to choose an option that is not too expensive, like the bow pulpit, or too simple, like the deck mount roller, you can also choose to go with a standalone bow roller. Some boats contain pre-installed anchor roller. But if your boat doesn’t have one, you can simply install them onto your boat’s bow. Moreover, the bow roller has a somewhat similar function to the bow pulpit, as both of them allow you to mount them on the front of your boat permanently.

You can use the bow roller to store the anchor, but you can also easily retrieve the anchor by your hand. Moreover, there is often a certain limit that how faraway this roller can protrude off the bow. Hence, there are limits that what size and style of the standalone you can use for your boat.

Why do You need to Use It?

These anchor rollers are best for easy and quick access to your anchor. Not only can you reach them easily, but they are simple to use. Lastly, they are not too expensive, and you can use them for multiple different types of anchors.

Bottom Line

At the end of the day, there are many options to choose from, depending on your specific set of circumstances. You should carefully choose your anchor roller according to your boat's type, size, and function. Make sure to opt for a manufacturer that can provide you durable and high-quality anchor roller, like White Water Marine Hardware.