May be a silly question...

[Gybson]

On the bow of my boat I have this wooden plank that has the bow light and (until recently) the anchor mounted on it. Throws the bow out a good foot or so. I really want to remove it. It looks crummy and it's falling apart. Taking it off would be easy, as would remounting the bow light. However, the anchor's got me stuck... I have it pulled through right now so I can set it manually, but it kills me having a perfectly good windlass that's not in use. What can I put on the front of the bow that'll look clean and manage the anchor?

I honestly don't even know what that part is called, lol. I've just been calling it the plank.

Pic here - Anchor's just laying on it (latch gave way on this ride and the anchor banged into the hull) Unable to attach a new latch as the wood is essentially shot.

 

[bgc]

Re: May be a silly question...

It's known as a Bow Pulpit. I would rebuilt it as it comes in handy when anchoring.

 

[jdlough]

Re: May be a silly question...

Also check out anchor rollers. Sort of a smaller version of a bow pulpit.

http://www.iboats.com/Anchor-Roller...8855850--session_id.478574139--view_id.217392


If you don't like the wooden plank, you can also get replacement bow pulpits in white fiberglass that look pretty snazzy.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: May be a silly question...

+1. While the one you have is obviously toast, it serves a useful purpose by keeping the anchor and chain away from the bow as it launched and retrieved. You can either rebuild it out of wood, use one of the products previously posted, or get a local metal fabricator to make one for you. You might even be able to scavenge one off of another, boat, but finding an exact match might be tricky. Good luck.

 

[Gybson]

Re: May be a silly question...

Thanks guys! Bow pulpit. Got it.

Anyhow, the one I have, as you can see, is fairly shot. I'd like to be able to hang the anchor off it taught like it was before. If I were to replace with just a bow roller, which one would I need? I'm assuming one with two rollers in it and some sort of tensioner to keep stress off the windlass... I like the look of those fiberglass pulpits, but A)I get the feeling they're out of my price range and B)I whanged the pulpit pretty good when launching it and I'd rather that not happen again, lol!

 

[bgc]

Re: May be a silly question...

It could be challenging using just a roller as you will need to move your windlass. You want a cleat on the pulpit to tie off the anchor, this will take the stress off the windlass. Also an "anchor tensioner" will keep it tight in the roller and protect the bow.

 

[Gybson]

Re: May be a silly question...

The windlass is in the bow, not on the pulpit, so I shouldn't have to move it anywhere... There's just a small, hatched port on the bow just starboard. The anchor line comes out of there, up(back towards the bow hatch) and around the anchor cleat(which is also on the bow, not the pulpit), where the rope ends and chain begins. From the anchor cleat, there's chain that goes into the pulpit, which holds the anchor in place along with the bow light and the tensioner(shot and needs replacement). All I really need is a good way to throw the anchor forward a ways... The hard part is going to be finding one that'll fit a boat with a turn-down nose...

I was basically hoping for a <$500 solution for this, if one exists. Looks like there may not be one aside from just throwing the anchor over the side.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: May be a silly question...

Have a local woodworker make you a new one out of mahogany, or some other wood that you like, and properly encapsulate it in resin so it will never rot. You'll be way under $500 and have a working windlass again.

 

[bgc]

Re: May be a silly question...

The windlass is in the bow, not on the pulpit, so I shouldn't have to move it anywhere... There's just a small, hatched port on the bow just starboard. The anchor line comes out of there, up(back towards the bow hatch) and around the anchor cleat(which is also on the bow, not the pulpit), where the rope ends and chain begins. From the anchor cleat, there's chain that goes into the pulpit, which holds the anchor in place along with the bow light and the tensioner(shot and needs replacement). All I really need is a good way to throw the anchor forward a ways... The hard part is going to be finding one that'll fit a boat with a turn-down nose...

I was basically hoping for a <$500 solution for this, if one exists. Looks like there may not be one aside from just throwing the anchor over the side.

Can you post a profile picture of the pulpit?

 

[Gybson]

Re: May be a silly question...

I'll dig to see if I have a picture of it from pre-restoration... I know I don't have any newer pictures of it beyond what I've already showed you... Worst case, I can snap a picture of it next time I'm over in Marblehead. I only get out there on weekends, sadly, hehe.

 

[Gybson]

Re: May be a silly question...

This is about all I've got for now...

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: May be a silly question...

Disregard my last post, Get a roller and switch to an anchor that works well with a windlass, like a plow, or claw.

 

[Gybson]

Re: May be a silly question...

Got it; thanks! Do I need to get one with two pulleys or would one suffice somehow? My apologies, I've only ever ran boats with cleats and chocks...

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: May be a silly question...

I would use a pivoting style with two rollers like this: http://compare.ebay.com/like/150849899556?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

 

[bgc]

Re: May be a silly question...

I have never seen a factory pulpit that fit like that. Could this have been an "add on" by a previous owner?

What would the roller mount to if they remove the pulpit?

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: May be a silly question...

I have never seen a factory pulpit that fit like that. Could this have been an "add on" by a previous owner?

What would the roller mount to if they remove the pulpit?

Looks like a poorly executed add on to me.

The roller would mount to the topsides, under the area that the pulpit now covers. The tilting roller I recommended offers two advanategd over fixed roller": 1. it will ensure an easy self deployment using gravity alone, and 2. when it tilts, the rear roller will left the rode in the air, preventing the chain from rubbing on the gel-coat during anchor deployment and retrieval. It also has two pivot points so it can be fine tuned. Extra holes can be drilled if a different pivot point is desired. The only downside is that it requires a different anchor to be used properly.

 

[Gybson]

Re: May be a silly question...

Looks like a poorly executed add on to me.

Yeah, I think you're right, hehe.

The roller would mount to the topsides, under the area that the pulpit now covers. The tilting roller I recommended offers two advanategd over fixed roller": 1. it will ensure an easy self deployment using gravity alone, and 2. when it tilts, the rear roller will left the rode in the air, preventing the chain from rubbing on the gel-coat during anchor deployment and retrieval. It also has two pivot points so it can be fine tuned. Extra holes can be drilled if a different pivot point is desired. The only downside is that it requires a different anchor to be used properly.

Hrm... I'm not sure how I could mount that straight on the bow as there's no flat spots... I love the look of it though and I think it'd work well...

 

[bgc]

Re: May be a silly question...

I also don't see how to secure a roller to a "bubble deck". How would you get it far enough out to keep the anchor from the hull?

 

[Gybson]

Re: May be a silly question...

I also don't see how to secure a roller to a "bubble deck". How would you get it far enough out to keep the anchor from the hull?

Exactly... I think I may just rebuild the thing... It seems to be simple enough.. I'll just have to swing by my parents' for a weekend to do it.

 

[bgc]

Re: May be a silly question...

Dont rebuild it, redesign it.

You want your pulpit to be substantial, it takes a lot of stresses. Take a look at other boats and rework it to mimic what you like.