Small Bow Anchor Roller (PVC) – 14×9.5×6.5 cm

This small PVC bow roller is a simple yet extremely useful accessory for any owner of a small boat or RIB (rigid inflatable boat). Its function is to guide the anchor line or chain smoothly over the bow of the vessel, preventing chafing on the hull or inflatable tube and keeping the anchor at the correct angle during retrieval. Made from high-quality plastic material, the roller is resistant to long-term exposure to sunlight (UV rays) and seawater without cracking or degrading. That makes it ideal for use on inflatables, since the PVC material is fully compatible with inflatable tubes and can be bonded securely without any risk of surrounding metal corrosion.

Design & Dimensions: The roller unit consists of a U-shaped base with an integrated spinning wheel (roller). With an overall length of 14 cm and width of 9.5 cm, it’s small enough to fit on a narrow bow platform or on top of an inflatable boat’s tube. The height of 6.5 cm provides enough clearance so that even a reasonably thick anchor rope or small chain can run through the roller freely. The roller itself has a smooth surface and is sized to bear the load when hauling up the anchor, reducing friction considerably.

Installation: There are two primary ways to install this piece:

1. On a hard hull: If your boat has a solid bow (fiberglass, wood, aluminum, etc.), the roller can be through-bolted or screwed down. The base typically has pre-formed holes for fasteners. Use stainless steel bolts of appropriate size and seal the holes with marine sealant to prevent water ingress.
2. On an inflatable tube: For PVC inflatable boats, the roller can be glued on using a two-part PVC adhesive. The surface of both the roller’s base and the boat’s tube should be prepped (cleaned and lightly sanded) for a strong bond. Once properly glued (and given adequate curing time), the roller becomes securely attached as if it were part of the boat.

Practical Benefits: When you drop anchor from your bow, this roller holds the rope away from the boat’s edge – meaning the line won’t rub and wear down your inflatable’s tube or scuff the paint on a rigid boat. While pulling the anchor back up – especially if there’s some weight or muck on it – the wheel takes the strain and makes retrieval smoother, acting almost like a mini-winch. Additionally, the roller guides the anchor toward the centerline of the bow, so as the anchor comes out of the water, it’s less likely to bang against the hull. This protects your gelcoat or finish from scratches and also prevents the sharp flukes of an anchor or chain links from cutting into an inflatable boat’s tube.

Compatibility: The small PVC roller is suited for anchors up to roughly 6–7 kg at most, and it works optimally with lighter anchors (1.5, 3, 4 kg etc.). For example, if you use a 2.5 kg folding grapnel anchor with rope, this roller would be an excellent addition. Likewise, if you have a small Danforth or Britany anchor ~4 kg with a short length of chain and rope, the roller will handle the movement of the chain when you retrieve the anchor. It’s important to note that this product is not a spring-loaded or self-launching bow roller – it’s a static guide intended for manual anchoring on smaller loads.

Conclusion: Adding a small anchor roller to your boat significantly improves the ease of anchoring and protects your valuable vessel from unnecessary wear. The all-plastic (PVC) construction means virtually no maintenance – just rinse it off when cleaning the boat and periodically check that it remains securely attached. This is a minor investment that yields major benefits, especially for inflatable boat owners where every added convenience makes your boating experience safer and more enjoyable.