As we discussed in Anchor Bow Rollers for Boating, the ability to quickly and easily release and retrieve your anchor is extremely important. Not only is an anchor a functional piece of equipment you’ll use frequently when you’re enjoying a day out on the water, but it is also considered a critical piece of safety equipment—particularly if you find yourself stranded with loss of engine power. If you’re lucky enough to have an anchor roller for your boat, then the process of utilizing your anchor becomes even easier and more accessible.

Like all other systems and components on your boat, eventually parts of your anchor roller may need to be replaced. One of the first parts that often needs replacing is the anchor roller wheel. When the time comes to find a proper replacement anchor roller wheel for your boat, be sure to consider the following.

Replacing Your Anchor Roller Wheel: Factors to Consider 

Most anchor bow rollers are made of stainless steel and a Delrin plastic wheel. Delrin is an extremely durable plastic, so its lifespan will last for quite a while; however, like most things, general wear and tear will eventually create the need for a replacement. Here’s a few contributing factors that can lead to the need for a replacement.

Weather 

First, consider how you store your boat. Is it kept in a boat house, in a slip, on a boat lift, in an indoor dry-storage facility, on a trailer, or in an outdoor dry-storage facility? Long story short, if your boat spends a majority of its time enduring natural elements like wind, rain, sunshine, and even snow, it’s likely that you’ll need to replace your anchor roller wheel sooner rather than later.

Saltwater

Another thing to consider is whether you use your boat in freshwater or saltwater—or both. Boats that are strictly used in freshwater tend to have a longer lifespan overall and often require less maintenance than saltwater boats. While both freshwater and saltwater can cause rust, unfortunately saltwater accelerates the corrosion process. This means that all of your boat’s systems and components are more vulnerable to saltwater exposure, including your anchor bow roller and all its associated parts.

Use

One final factor to consider is usage: how often do you utilize your anchor bow roller? More frequent use will obviously lead to faster depreciation overtime.

Replacement Anchor Roller Wheel Material Options

At the end of the day, regardless of whether it’s the weather, saltwater, or usage that contributed to the need for a replacement, you’ll have a decision to make: what type of anchor roller wheel should you choose for your replacement? In terms of materials, there are two common options on today’s market: Delrin or marine grade Polyurethane. Both of which are highly reliable and long-lasting.

Lucky for you, both options are also available at Marine Depot Direct. Don’t forget, if you’d like to learn more about all things anchor rollers, be sure to read our blog on Anchor Bow Rollers for Boating.

How many times have you replaced your anchor roller wheel? Share with us in the comments below!

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