Bow roller blues

[DCatSea]

Our tried and true, but old and damaged, bow roller needs replacing, but I can't find one anywhere to fit the original SS fixture.
Dimensions are 2 1/2" width, 2" diameter, 1/2" spindle.

I've looked all over the Interweb, but to no avail. Does anyone know where I can find a black or grey replacement (definitely don't want to put a white Delrin in there)?

Here's a pic of the original

Bow roller.JPG

Thanks

[motthediesel]

How about a urethane trailer roller? If you can’t find just the right size, that material is easily machinable.

[DCatSea]

Good idea - I'll bear that in mind.
Thnx

[Tree]

I got fed up with the plastic ones breaking all the time so machined one out of stainless steel.

Got any plans to come over to see family Doug for Christmas? If so bring it over and I’ll make one for you!

[jleonard]

I had the same problem a few years ago. I ended up having one made where I worked out of black Delrin 100. Looks great after 6 seasons.

[DCatSea]

Tree - Thank you for a great offer. It reminded me that I have access to a big lathe a couple of miles from home port, and that by resurrecting machining skills from my days in the Torpedo Shop in Dolphin I can probably run one up in bronze or black Delrin (per jleonard - thanks for the reminder)

That said, I will be over for Christmas, but down in Plymouth (aka GUZ). I keep telling myself I have to visit Alliance, (even if Andrew was the last running A-boat) so if we do end up in Gosport on this trip it would be good if we could grab a pint at a local hostelry.

[Tree]

Guz is only 180 miles away haha! When you do come up this way please let me know. I’ll be more than happy to make you my guest for a tour of Alliance, just bring the bow roller with you! I’ve got seven CNC machines in my little shop and we manufacture bow roller out of delrin frequently for a lot of the local marine engineering companies. I just save the good stuff for myself and make them out of stainless with alibronze bushings so they work for ever. Oh and course I’ll give you a tour of the harbour - we’ve both of the new aircraft carriers here now and I must say they look impressive!

[DCatSea]

Thank you. Sounds like a deal. I'll confirm dates once we get ourselves together after our jaunt to Oceanside CA. (Just got back yesterday)
Lunch is on us in Pompey locale.

[DCatSea]

Update - Had a new Delrin roller made by MeriMarine in WV. Very happy with results; roller was delivered via USPS within 3 days of payment via PayPal. Matches OEM perfectly.
One more job checked off.
Here's a pic of the ratty old one and the shiny new one:

IMG_7084.JPG

[Tree]

Keep the OEM one. It’ll look much better in shiny stainless next time you’re here

[DCatSea]

I will - thanks for that; I know you are right, and may hopefully be over in April (RN stag reunion in Rutland (?), and few days in G-U-Z)
Now waiting for warmer days to get the shrink wrap off and start topside work for 2020. Moving to a new berth later, following a couple of nice cosmetic jobs and a rewire by ABYC guys who have agreed to let me "watch and learn".
I don't actually go on the hook that much; usually when I have visitors onboard and they want to jump off the boat for a while (I look upon this in much the same way some look upon parachuting), but it keeps the Commodore sweet, so...

[jleonard]

Update - Had a new Delrin roller made by MeriMarine in WV. Very happy with results; roller was delivered via USPS within 3 days of payment via PayPal. Matches OEM perfectly.
One more job checked off.
Here's a pic of the ratty old one and the shiny new one:
IMG_7084.JPG

Nice! My Delrin roller is going on about 8 years now and still looks good. And I anchor a lot and with all chain.