A great windlass anchor is essential for your boat because it makes dropping and retrieving your anchor a breeze. The challenge is choosing from the wide variety of windlasses on the market. What are the best windlass anchors?
Our top 10 picks for the best windlass anchor are as follows:
- Lewmar PRO-Fish 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Fish Windlass – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Lewmar V1 GO 12V (002) Stainless Steel Windlass – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Maxwell RC6 12V Windlass – 500W f/1/4 Chain to 1/2 Rope
- Maxwell RC8 12V Windlass – 1000W 5/16 Chain to 5/8 Rope
- Lewmar PRO-Series 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Series Windlass
- Lewmar V700 G 12V 6/7 mm 1/4″ Vertical Windlasses
- Maxwell Anchor Max Windlass
- Lewmar Windlass-Anchor ProSport 550
- Powerwinch Freefall Anchor Windlass 41′ Class
- Osculati ITALWINCH Anchor Obi500 Windlass Gypsy 12V 500W 60A For 6 mm Chain
Read on to learn more about the best windlass anchors, including the specs and features for each.
Also, take a look at our top pick, the Lewmar PRO-Fish 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Fish Windlass, on Amazon, to see its price and great reviews:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Best Windlass Anchor – Our Top 10
1. Lewmar PRO-Fish 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Fish Windlass
First on our list of the best windlass anchors is the Lewmar PRO-Fish 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Fish Windlass.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Lewmar Pro-Fish model is the ultimate anchor windlass for fishers. The Pro-Fish has an easy, automatic freefall that lets you pull right up over a ledge or wreck and drop anchor with precision and speed.
No more running your motor or burning fuel while you hover over fish. And you can retrieve your anchor just as easily with the push of a button. Plus, the Pro-Fish boat windlass anchor system is DIY-ready and made of durable 100% 316 stainless steel.
- Automatic freefall. Strong 100 percentage 316 stainless steel, including control arm and stripper
- Powerful motor providing fast line speed. Convenient above-deck installation
- Maximum pulling power: 700 lb. (320kg) for the 700 and 1,000 lb. (454kg) for the 1000 lb.
- For boats up to 12m (39ft)
- 5-year warranty
2. Lewmar V1 GO 12V (002) Stainless Steel Windlass
Another excellent windlass anchor is the Lewmar V1 GO 12V (002) Stainless Steel Windlass.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Lewmar V1 GO 12V is the first compact stainless steel anchor windlass for power and sailboats. The beautifully styled deck conceals a reliable and robust drive train, worm gearbox, and splined shaft for max strength and control.
- Rope-chain gypsy
- Robust/reliable worm gearbox
- Cone clutch for smooth, easy control
- For Boats up to 12m (40ft)
- Emergency recovery kit available
3. Maxwell RC6 12V Windlass – 500W f/1/4 Chain to 1/2 Rope
The Maxwell RC6 12V Windlass – 500W f/1/4 Chain to 1/2 Rope is another excellent electric windlass anchor system.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Maxwell RC6 utilizes a 6mm/7mm (1/4″) chain spliced to 12mm (1/2″) three strand or 8-plait rope.
Providing most features of the larger Maxwell RC8 model, the RC6 is designed with the smaller boat market in mind. The in-line motor and vertical gearbox mean quick and easy installation by the boatyard or DIY.
An inexpensive, high-performance, and stylish-looking windlass anchor: the RC6 is built for durability and years of reliable, trouble-free use. The RC6 model is available only as a low profile unit (no optional capstan drum).
- Maximum pull/lift: 700 lbs, Static hold: 1540 lbs
- Chain short link: 1/4″, Rope size (nylon 3 strand or 8 plaits recommended) 1/2″
- Chain Speed (anchor retrieval): 79 ft/min, Rope speed (anchor retrieval): 69 ft/min
- Power supply (dc): 12 or 24 V, Motor Power: 500w
- Includes factory breaker, helm switch, and solenoid.
4. Maxwell RC8 12V Windlass – 1000W 5/16 Chain to 5/8 Rope
Next on our list of best windlass anchor system is the Maxwell RC8 12V Windlass – 1000W 5/16 Chain to 5/8 Rope.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Maxwell RC8 has most of the Maxwell RC6, but it is for bigger boats.
This fully automatic rope/chain boat windlass is designed to easily retrieve and deploy an 8mm chain spliced to 14mm three strand or 8-plait rope. The maximum pull of the Maxwell RC8 windlass anchor is 1320lbs.
The ingeniously designed rope/chain gypsy (also referred to as a chain wheel) can accommodate several chain pitch differences within the specified chain diameters suitable for use with the RC8 Series.
Low profile, sleek, and MAX-grip drum versions are available to match individual preferences.
The simple two-piece installation saves money and time and allows easy retrofitting without taking the windlass apart. Unique spacer tube design allows installation through any deck thickness.
Several mounting positions and self-aligning gearbox ensures the best location of gearbox and motor in all installation situations.
5. Lewmar PRO-Series 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Series Windlass
Another one of the top-rated electric windlass anchor systems is the Lewmar PRO-Series 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Series Windlass.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Praised by professionals worldwide, the Lewmar horizontal Pro-Series is a perfect windlass anchor for boats from 6m-11. 5m (20-38ft). It is a DIY-ready, easy-to-install windlass anchor and housed in 316 stainless steel. This makes it well protected and durable.
With the push-button control and a built-in manual emergency recovery system, anchoring has never been easier. The Lewmar Pro-Series is one of the best of our anchor windlass reviews.
- Powerful motor for fast line speed
- Manual emergency recovery equipped – you just need a common 1/2 socket wrench
- Maximum pulling power: 320kg (700 lb. ) for the 700 and 454kg (1, 000 lb. ) for the 1000
- For boats up to 12m (38ft)
6. Lewmar V700 G 12V 6/7 mm 1/4″ Vertical Windlasses
Lewmar V700 G 12V 6/7 mm 1/4″ Vertical Windlasses is another excellent windlass anchor winch for your boat.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
With a durable, 316 stainless steel housing and a stylish, flush-mount design that hides the motor, the Lewmar V700 G 12V 6/7 mm 1/4″ Vertical Windlasses is one of the most attractive and effective windlasses on the market.
It works with ease at the push of a button and has two built-in features that make it special – the motor protection and the anchor lock.
- 100% 316 stainless steel deck unit
- IP Rated Housing. Fits calibrated chains- 6mm DIN766, 1/4 inch G4 or BBB, 7mm DIN766
- For boats up to 10.5m (35 ft.). Motor power: 320 Watts; Gypsy Number: 603
- 5-year warranty
7. Maxwell Anchor Max Windlass
Next on our list of the best windlass anchor systems is the Maxwell Anchor Max Windlass.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
A highly versatile vertical capstan or general purpose electric windlass for use as an anchor winch, davit winch, or pot hauler. Of all marine windlasses, you won’t be disappointed with the Maxwell Anchor Max windlass boat system.
- The Maxwell Anchor Max boat windlass has an extremely high weight to power ratio.
- The compact, sealed gearbox is driven by a vertically mounted, high efficiency, permanent magnet motor.
- Intrusion below decks is reduced, making the design perfect for boats from 5m (16ft) to 10m (32ft).
- Fitting to the boat is a breeze as no dismantling of the anchor winch is required.
- The Anchor Max gear housings are marine-grade alloy for added strength. The drum is stainless steel.
- It is a single direction (clockwise) unit, complete with fastenings, deck switch, template, and fitting instructions.
- This windlass anchor winch is not recommended for use to haul chain or halyards.
8. Lewmar Windlass-Anchor ProSport 550
Lewmar Windlass-Anchor ProSport 550 is another one of the best windlass anchor systems for your boat.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Lewmar’s Pro-Sport electric anchor windlass is designed as an economical package for chain and rope applications without compromising quality or performance.
- Low power consumption / current draw
- Dual direction powered operation
- Maximum pulling power: 250kg (550lb)
- Convenient above-deck installation
- For boats up to 12m (40ft)
9. Powerwinch Freefall Anchor Windlass 41′ Class
Powerwinch Freefall Anchor Windlass 41′ Class is next on our list for the best electric windlasses.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
A Free-fall anchor winch offers several advantages over power-down winch models: They deploy up to four times faster, they stop immediately when the anchor reaches the bottom, and they let you quickly anchor in poor conditions.
Enter the Windlass 41 free-fall anchor, a patented anchor system that drops up to 300 feet per minute. Built for 41-foot class boats, the Windlass 41 sports an exclusive stainless-steel chain and rope guidance design, with stainless-steel fasteners and watertight seals that prevent corrosion.
The ultra-smooth, sleek motor uses fewer amps than power-down anchors, which helps preserve your battery life during the battery-free process. And thanks to the heat-treated gear structure, the Powerwinch Windlass 41 runs smoother and lasts longer than most of its competitors.
- Stainless-steel rope and fasteners and watertight seals
- Free-fall anchor winch system designed for 41-foot class boats
- Makes it easy to anchor a boat in precise location (no drifting)
- Drops up to 4 times faster (300 fpm) than power-down anchors
- 75 fpm retrieval speed; weighs 23 pounds; 3-year warranty
10. Osculati ITALWINCH Anchor Obi500 Windlass Gypsy 12V 500W 60A For 6 mm Chain
Osculati ITALWINCH Anchor 6 mm Chain is last on our list of best electric windlasses.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
It has an anodized aluminum body, chromed brass gypsy, built-in chain counter sensor, and line tensioner. Solenoid and friction release lever included as well.
Conclusion – Best Windlass Anchor
So to recap, what are the best anchor windlass systems? Our top 10 anchor windlasses are as follows:
- Lewmar PRO-Fish 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Fish Windlass – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Lewmar V1 GO 12V (002) Stainless Steel Windlass – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Maxwell RC6 12V Windlass – 500W f/1/4 Chain to 1/2 Rope
- Maxwell RC8 12V Windlass – 1000W 5/16 Chain to 5/8 Rope
- Lewmar PRO-Series 700 6 mm-7 mm-1/4 Pro-Series Windlass
- Lewmar V700 G 12V 6/7 mm 1/4″ Vertical Windlasses
- Maxwell Anchor Max Windlass
- Lewmar Windlass-Anchor ProSport 550
- Powerwinch Freefall Anchor Windlass 41′ Class
- Osculati ITALWINCH Anchor Obi500 Windlass Gypsy 12V 500W 60A For 6 mm Chain
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