Bow roller for a 22 lb Bruce.

s/v Groovy · Post by **s/v Groovy** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:43 pm

I am looking for a Bow roller for a 22 lb Bruce anchor, well really a Lewmar Claw. I tried a Windline BRM-4 and it didn't fit. the Lewmar roller for up to a 44lb it is very loose, and would shift and rattle all day. I want to test a Kingston Bruce 25 roller, but would have to mail order is to just try it...

Is there a good roller for my Lewmar Claw, should I get a different Bruce style anchor? get the Kingston 'Bruce 25' roller? or is there a better roller?

Post by **Tim** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:02 pm

Bruce (and the similar Claw) anchors have unique storage needs thanks to their designs. The Kingston Bruce 25 roller you mentioned looks like it ought to work, but I don't specifically have experience with that one.

The Windline BRM-3 or BRM-4, both of which are made specifically for a Bruce/Claw anchor, would work. These rollers are necessarily a bit large and bulky, unfortunately (and expensive), but fit the Bruces quite well.

I think the BRM-4, which fits up to 44 lb. Bruce anchors, would be kind of big for your 22; I have one of these for a 33 lb. and it fits well, but it's a large roller to be sure. The BRM-3 is supposedly good for only up to the Bruce 16, but might be worth a check to see if it works for you.

forrest · Post by **forrest** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:55 pm

The BRM3 and 4 are freaking huge! I just put a BRM-2 on the my Renegade to hold my 22# Bruce. It doesn't snug in there the way that it would if you put that massive BRM-4 on it, but it works well enough for me (plus it is waay cheaper).

s/v Groovy · Post by **s/v Groovy** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:41 pm

update:

I finally found a Genuine Bruce 22 for sale and it fits the BRM-4 perfectly (The Lewmar Claw did not). With the genuine 22# Bruce this bow roller holds it securely with almost no movement at all.

I also found a Windline BRM-4 on clearance at West Marine for $141.00 (since the only anchor it fits isn't being made anymore).

This roller is quite large, agreed, but then again, so is the 22# Bruce on a Renegade. Everything should fit by moving the starboard bow chock back. The leading edge will stand quite proud, but it will be within the vertical of my pulpit, and thus not extend my LOA (my marina charges me for every inch)...

forrest · Post by **forrest** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:17 am

I had to move the chock for the BRM2 as well (and managed to drop it overboard)

The only other Renegade in my marina also has the BRM2. If it is possible I would love to see a picture of how your new roller looks when you get it set up.

Charge per inch...must be Shilsole?

Cheers

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 6:08 pm

I've been avoiding adding a roller to my Renegade for a couple years. I think they're ugly. But this past 9 day cruise has begun to persuade me into thinking I want one. Hurry up and resolve this Greg, and post some pictures so I don't have to figure this out myself! :)

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:10 pm

I think they are ugly too.

I also think it is very nice to have an anchor ready to go at a moment's notice. This has saved me on at least one occasion.

s/v Groovy · Post by **s/v Groovy** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:54 am

The battle ram, I mean bow roller is installed. I too agree that it is a bit ugly, but I'm really looking forward to sleeping better when on the hook for a night. The 22# Bruce replaced a 13# Danforth that came with the boat.

I cut one Teak piece to bring mounting up to the height of the toerail, notched for the pulpit base. A second thinner piece of teak was cut to raise the height a bit more, however, a small notch was still needed to be ground in the outside of the bow roller to clear the pulpit riser tube. Holes were drilled in the deck and epoxied to protect the core. once cured (overnight) the Life Caulk sealant was used to through bolt the roller. I also mounted a Lewmar anchor stop as a secondary safety from accidental anchor drops.

The starboard chock has not been reinstalled yet. I imagine I want it as far forward and possible now, but I wanted to ask if this is correct before I drilled, also, is there a reason to move the port chock back to match the starboards now location other than symmetry?

Try to ignore the epoxy repairs the have not been gelcoted on the hull edges. When I was in the boatyard last month I chased out quite a few voids and marginal repairs with a Dremel These were then filled with epoxy, thickened with chopped glass and cabosil. These were sanded and faired, but I didn't think I had the right gelcote to complete the process. I'll start a new thread about spraying gelcote, and my questions.

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:05 pm

Gregg,

I really like the installation!

In particular... You've got bow lights exactly where I'm wanting to put mine. (Grin)

LazyGuy · Post by **LazyGuy** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:34 pm

Greg,

Nice install. I have the same installation for my Bruce 33 and while I hate the look, I hate the look of the galvanized gopher teeth swinging in the breeze even more. Especially after I saw a good friend with a Tartan 33 rip a brand new, first time out of the turtle spinnaker on the Danforth pulpit mounting thingies. He put two slices from about 2/3 the way up, to within a foot of the foot of the sail.

forrest · Post by **forrest** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:24 am

Looks good!