Bow roller

[halwenk]

Found an “almost” new horizontal windlass to be installed (DIY) on my Columbia 28.
? Is there a magic number as to how far outboard I need to put the “roller” of my bow roller. I’m using a 15 lb Danforth with 35 ft of chain and 100 ft of rode.
Thx
Hal Wenk

[Benz]

No magic number. It's nice if the roller puts things far enough out that you don't ding up the gelcoat every time you weigh anchor. It's also nice to put it close enough in that you can reach the bolts when you're sweating in the forepeak during installation.

[tkeithlu]

The distance from the windless to the roller is also important. Think about the anchor shaft coming up above the roller and then pivoting to the horizontal. That's a triangle that puts a mighty load on the windless. If the distance is short, then the triangle has a large angle at the windlass and a proportionally greater load on the windlass motor. If the distance is REALLY short, you risk the chain jumping the windlass because it's arriving at an angle.

[Manateeman]

The green frog is right on the money. Here is another suggestion or two.
Put a strong point on your stem just above the waterline. Attach a strong block.
Run your snubber from your chain or rope to the block then up to your deck.
This will help your boat ride up and over waves rather than dig her bow into green water. Takes a lot of strain off your roller unless the snubber breaks.
In Alaska, the fishermen use big floats to help support the weight of the chain.
From the floats, the chain and snubbers run almost parallel to the surface of the sea to the boat.
I was taught a simple formula for anchor size. One pound / ft waterline and 2 pounds per foot for storm anchor. My big storm anchors are huge Fortress.
Happy trails to you.
The manatee crew.