How to Select an Anchor Windlass for Your Boat

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The Right Anchor Windlass Depends on Several Factors

Having the right anchor windlass can make anchoring much easier and safer. Important factors to consider when choosing a windlass include boat size and type, displacement, anchor weight, anchor rode and hardware weight, and chain size. The anchoring environment also plays a vital role. The windlass pulls the weight of the ground tackle, but the boat's main engines handle the heavy work.

Lofrans offers a comprehensive Windlass Selection Guide Here.

Choosing Between Manufacture Brands

Lofrans and Muir are top brands for marine windlasses. At Seatech Marine in San Diego, CA, we only offer windlasses that we can fully support and guarantee customer satisfaction. With over a decade of servicing and installing various windlass brands, we trust only Lofrans and Muir. We also provide the E-Z Anchor Puller, catering to every boat type and preference.

Windlass Power Options

Windlasses can be manual, DC or AC powered, or hydraulic. DC powered windlasses are the most commonly sold. Here's a brief overview:

Manual Windlass

Manual windlasses are less expensive, easier to install, and require no wiring or plumbing. They rely on human power.

Electric Windlass

Electric windlasses offer substantial lifting power, making anchoring as simple as pressing a button or foot switch. They are compact and can typically use the boat's existing electrical system.

Hydraulic Windlass

Hydraulic windlasses provide the most power and efficiency but require a central hydraulic system, typically found in large yachts.

Rope/Chain Combination or All Chain?

Most boats use a rope/chain combination rode, combining chain with high-quality rope. This setup is lighter and places less weight in the bow. All-chain rode is easier to retrieve and more abrasion-resistant but heavier and more expensive. Chain sits well in the gypsy and falls neatly into the locker.

Vertical vs Horizontal Windlass

Vertical Windlass

Vertical windlasses are preferred due to their low profile, with the motor and gearbox below deck. They require a large hole for installation but are ideal for boats with adequate rod fall space. They typically retrieve combination rode.

Horizontal Windlass

Horizontal windlasses mount on deck, with the chain gypsy and capstan on either side. They need only small holes for the chain pipe, wire, and thru-bolts, making them suitable for boats with limited anchor locker space. Horizontal models usually handle chain separately from rope.

Sizing Considerations

The windlass should only retrieve the anchor and ground tackle, not pull the boat. A general rule is to multiply the total weight of the ground tackle by three to determine the required power rating. Check the power specifications of each windlass model we offer, and use our sizing chart as a starting point. Always consult with our windlass experts to ensure the right choice.

The Crucial Role of Electric Mooring Winches

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Selecting an Anchor Windlass

Assessing Your Lower Back Health

Raising an anchor manually can be strenuous. Whether you own a fishing boat, power cruiser, or sailboat, a windlass eases this task, protecting your back. A windlass is integral to the anchoring system, which includes the anchor, anchor roller, rode, chain locker, and deck hardware.

Windlasses can be installed by boat owners with moderate mechanical and electrical skills. The selection depends on boat size, anchoring conditions, and ground tackle weight/type. We will provide some tips for making the right choice.

Windlass Pulling Power

The required pulling power for a windlass is often debated. Windlasses are not designed to pull a boat against strong winds or break out heavy anchors from hard sand. The boat's engine should handle such tasks. Windlasses are meant to lift an anchor and rode that are free of tension and provide enough force to break out a set anchor.

Manufacturers recommend windlasses with significant pulling power to ensure functionality under various conditions. Lewmar advises that a windlass should have a maximum load capacity four times its usual working load. For example, a 33' boat with a 22lb anchor and 200' of 1/2" rope rode would require a windlass with at least 248lb pulling capacity.

Anchor Locker Size and Available Fall

Measure the anchor locker depth to determine the available fall (distance from the top of the locker to the top of the stored rode). This measurement helps in deciding the suitable windlass style.

Choosing Between Horizontal and Vertical Windlasses

Vertical Windlasses

Vertical windlasses are the most popular due to their low profile, with the motor below deck. They require a larger hole for the motor but are suitable for boats with spacious chain lockers. Vertical windlasses need a longer fall for the chain and provide secure grip.

Horizontal Windlasses

Horizontal windlasses are self-contained and mounted on deck, requiring only small holes for installation. They are easier to install and suitable for boats with small or irregularly shaped chain lockers, needing a minimum fall of 12". Horizontal windlasses need precise alignment as they cannot handle off-center rode angles.

Compatibility With Anchor Rode

All-Chain Rode

All-chain gypsies are self-tailing and self-stowing, favored for their strength and abrasion resistance. They lie on the bottom and are strong but heavy and expensive.

Rope-Chain Rode

Rope-chain windlasses use a single gypsy with chain pockets and rope grooves. The rope must be spliced to the chain's last link and checked regularly for chafing.

Rope Only

Rope capstans use electric motors to haul in the rode manually. Rope-only self-tailing windlasses wrap the line internally and are generally limited to specific anchor line sizes. This setup is often less practical.

Gypsy and Rode Compatibility

Ensure the windlass gypsy matches the rode type (e.g., chain size). A gypsy designed for 5/16" High Test chain won't fit 5/16" BBB chain due to link differences. Many windlasses offer gypsy options to fit various rodes.

Remote Operation Capability

Decide if remote windlass operation is needed. Sailors often weigh anchor from the bow, but powerboats may find bow operation inconvenient. Rough weather may also make deck standing unsafe. Deck-mounted foot switches are useful, and helm panel switches are popular on powerboats. Handheld remotes (wired or wireless) can be used for remote operation on both sail and powerboats.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Anchor Winch for Sale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.