Anchor Roller Material/Design

[Muaddib1116]

I am contemplating replacing the plastic roller in my bow roller this winter. Rocna's anchor resource suggests that aluminum or bronze might be a better choice than plastic. That totally makes sense from a durability perspective. The chain groove in my plastic roller is pretty beat up. I do wonder about possible corrosion on the anchor shank though. Isn't bronze more noble than steel? would that induce corrosion at the contact point? Aluminum would have the opposite problem, right? where the roller corrodes?

I remember seeing some pictures of some people's rollers a while back (I think it was in an anchor swivel thread), but I can't seem to find them. I'd appreciate if folks with grooved rollers posted pictures of them so I could see what the common designs are.

As far as diameter, it seems like larger is better, as long as it's not so big that the bend of the shank can't sit in it. Any insight on this? Thanks.

[Panope]

Originally Posted by Muaddib1116

............ Aluminum would have the opposite problem, right? where the roller corrodes?............

I've got a 40+ year old aluminum roller. It rides on a greased stainless steel shaft. Has always had galvanized anchors and galvanized chain on it. Corrosion and wear are not an issue for the roller or any other components.

This roller will last hundreds of years.

Steve

[Manateeman]

Hi. Just not enough info on how your boat is set up. Existing gear, windlass, anchor. Photos would help.
Manatee

[Benz]

Plastic rollers are cheap to replace when they wear. I have a delrin one that I made on a lathe, still going strong ten years and thousands of nights at anchor later. The worst metals I ever put together in saltwater were bronze and galvanized steel. The galvi doesn't stand a chance. I'd stay away from a metal roller. Besides, how noisy would that be? a plastic one is noisy enough...

[Bycrick]

I’ve seen several made from HMWPE that seems to be used in fendering for my local canal. It will outlast me by years.