R4 Anchor Chain Jams

[JC522]

When I'm retrieving the anchor, if the chain is feeding in from an angle (isn't directly in front of or below the boat), it will jam on the anchor roller frame. Except in the area straight down from the roller wheel, the sides of the roller frame aren't curved outward to prevent this. Most anchor roller frames are curved outward or have a piece of SS bar stock welded to the areas that will come in contact with the chain. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a solution? I tried a larger diameter roller wheel, but there was little improvement.

[stifflkd]

I have a R5 with the windlass package and can't say I have run into the issue. I believe the hardware is very similar but the bracket is bent to form a good fit to the anchor when stored. I also use a bridle to take the strain off the winch and absorb the jolting of the chain in a stiff wind. It does tend to keep the chain centered over the roller when retrieving. May be worth looking into.

[JC522]

The "bracket" has a bend at the bottom where the stowed anchor seats against it. If the chain is directly below the boat that bend prevents any jamming. There is no provision for the chain to run smoothly against the bracket when the chain is entering from an angle and contacting the bracket above that bend. In order to keep from overloading the windlass, I typically motor forward slightly to take the strain off the chain and then retrieve some of it. Repeat the process until the anchor is off the bottom. Is that wrong? I'm considering switching to 25' of chain with 75' of 1/2" 3-strand instead of all chain. I don't really need all chain for anchoring off the beach.

[Kate]

"Is that wrong?"

No. That is the correct technique. Don't use the windlass to pull the boat. Use the boat to create slack, then the windlass to retrieve. By the time you reach the anchor point, it should be directly below the bow.

All chain is far superior to chain/rope.

[JC522]

Yes, chain is superior to rope. I tried some 1/2" 3-strand per Lewmar specs. Lacking enough weight to ensure that it rapidly falls through the windlass and down into the chain locker, it gets stuck in the gypsy.

[Kate]

". . . per Lewmar specs."

I assume you have the Lewmar v700, which is my windlass. I had exactly the same problem with rope, which is why I switched to all chain.

Are you using the chain specified by Lewmar? I've had chain/anchor issues, which I solved by modifying the front of the pulpit. But I've never had the jam problem you're experiencing.

[JC522]

Yes. V700 and chain as installed by the factory.
Here is where the chain snags the anchor roller cheeks.

20240827_133026a.jpg

[JC522]

My latest attempt is 5/8" 3-strand and 15' of chain. On initial testing it seemed to pass thru the windlass without any issues.

[Markus_de]

have the same problems with my r6.... seems to be not a good design.

[billk2632]

My R5 windlass setup looks just like yours, I have all chain (1/4" I believe) - I anchor frequently and have never had this issue. You can't let the windlass pull the boat, forward or sideways. Doesn't have to be perfect, but generally you should run the boat up to the anchor when you retrieve it so the windlass is lifting the anchor straight up. That's said, the wind/currently moves the boat around and this does not always work perfectly, but still I have never had this happen. Is that your boat in the picture? Two things I notice different from mine (1)I can't see your roller that well in the picture, but mine has a deep groove in the middle that tends to hold the chain in place. (2) My retainer hoop is slanted much farther forward - where yours is at 12oclock, mine is more like 10oclock. That is there to keep the anchor from bouncing up out of the chute, but I suppose it can also keep the chain on the roller if it is in a more foreword position.

[Kate]

". . . deep groove in the middle . . ."

Good point. So does mine. Hard to see his roller, but it appears to be flat. Other than not being directly over the anchor, I can't think of what else would cause the chain to wander to the side and jam.

JC: Did you try a roller with a deep groove?

[JC522]

I changed to a larger (4") diameter roller with a deep groove. It helped a little. I also tried a different procedure to raise the anchor. I back up to bring the boat in line with the anchor, put it in neutral, and retrieve as much chain as I can on the rebound. Repeat until the anchor breaks free or is directly below the boat. Not a 100% solution, but it helps prevent the chain snagging on the anchor roller. I think switching to rope is the best way to fix the issue.

[billk2632]

Here is a picture of mine - looks like my roller is pretty small in diameter and does not go up to the edge of the chute. I think the roller is your problem -- mine has never even hinted at jumping of the roller and I anchor a lot.

IMG_1075.JPEG

[Kate]

b: Yours is identical to my set up.

"I think the roller is your problem -- mine has never even hinted at jumping of the roller and I anchor a lot."

Ditto. And I've started the retrieval at seriously acute angles.

[JC522]

The problem was worse with the smaller diameter (2.5") OEM roller than it was with the 4" roller. I'm not the only one experiencing the problem. Maybe it's caused by the way we approach the chain as we retrieve it. In any case, I like the rope rode and bigger roller much better. Problem solved.