The 8 Best Marine Windlass (2023 reviews)

The lewmar toggle switch is specially designed for your daily usage and has all useful features. The Lewmar anchor windlass is quick and easy to install on your boat's deck. It offers the highest levels of quality in the industry. It's recommended for 20'-30' vessels. It comes with a breaker and solenoid in the box. There is an inline circuit breaker that you want to be active during operation to prevent overloading of the windlass motor.

It's a marine grade switch.

Why We Like This:

Wire to dash, very easy to install
Half-inch rope and quarter inch chain that's made for a winless
New and hot release

Hiniu Marine Windlass

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The hiniu marine marine windlass is capable of outshining several other windlass featured in this list in overall features for the price point. These H series vertical windlass features custom made permanent magnet motors, which provides more lifting power than other windlass of its size on the market. It is designed to work with chain only or rope/chain combination. Its drop speed up to 38m per minute. Each windlass includes gypsy parts, gearbox/motor, solenoid, handle, switch panel, foot switch, and installation guide for efficient and easy mounting on your boat.

It comes with a rope drum or without designed for boats.

Why We Like This:

Good investment for long term
Lot of satisfied buyers

Maxwell New fully Automatic Windlass

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If you are currently in the market looking for a reliable windlass for your daily usage, you cannot go wrong with the maxwell new fully automatic windlass. The size of your boat dictates anchor weight. It is designed to effortlessly retrieve and deploy 6mm/7mm (1/4") chain spliced to 12mm (1/2") three strand or 8-plait rope. It can be used with 5/16" chain spliced to 9/16"to 5/8" 3-strand or 8-plait rope, so yes, it works with 5/8” line. It is suitable for use with the rc8 series.

The Unique spacer tube design allows installation through virtually any deck thickness and the multiple mounting positions and self aligning gearbox ensure optimal location of your gearbox and motor in virtually all installation situations. It is made for at least 20 bucks and works flawless. It is easy to install as well. It is designed to effectively help grasp the rope/chain splice, giving the rc8 an unparalleled level of performance.

Why We Like This:

Works perfectly and has for almost 2 years
Manual override and free fall, using the emergency crank/clutch handle provided
New and hot release

Maxwell Marine Windlass

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Compared with other windlass in this category, the maxwell marine windlass has a convenient design. These horizontal, fully automatic rope / chain windlasses have been designed to meet the demands for use on larger vessels up to 52 feet, which require a completely above deck installation system. It is fitted with Maxwell's unique wave design chainwheel. It provides high efficiency output drive via precision worm and wormwheel. It is superior to the traditional 'jam cleat' manner of holding the rope / chain rode.

The integral chain pipe and huge, through deck hawse pipe throat ensures easy entry of the rope / chain rode into and out of the anchor locker. It is able to accommodate a wide range of chain pitch differences, within the specified chain size diameters, suitable for use with the hrc. It is also allows for quick and easy, on-deck, routine maintenance.

Why We Like This:

Good investment for long term
One of the new comers and featured product

Five Oceans Marine Windlass

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The five oceans marine windlass's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The High-Power 1500 Watts provides a maximum pulling power of 2645 lb / 1200 kg and a maximum working load of 800 lb / 400 kg. It includes a 3-wire solenoid, 135a circuit breaker, up/down foot switch, rocker switch, manual top-cap handle, owner manual, mounting hardware, and mounting template. Most of the components are made by hot forging and they can withstand the high-load strain. It allows a drop speed of 52 feet per minute.

The windlass manages the rope and chain with the use of a special spring. It comes with a capstan wrench as well.

Why We Like This:

Designed of solid polished and anodized 316 stainless steel housing
Pulls it up without even a slight struggle
One of the new comers and featured product

Powerwinch Marine Windlass

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention powerwinch marine windlass for daily usage. The Power Winch is also a leading manufacturer of comfort and convenience products for the recreation industry, with valuable experience and resources it can lend to the powerwinch business. It is built for sport fishing boats, the sport fish 450 boasts an exclusive stainless-steel rope and chain guidance design, with durable stainless-steel fasteners and watertight seals that resist corrosion and stand up to years of use. By dropping almost immediately, the sport fish 450 also lets you anchor in a precise location, so you won't drift to a new spot while waiting for the anchor to activate.

The ultra-smooth motor, meanwhile, uses fewer amps than power-down anchors, helping preserve your battery life during the battery-free free-fall process. They drop up to four times faster, they stop when the anchor has reached bottom, and they allow you to quickly anchor in poor conditions. It comes with helm operated one-touch control and standard 25 amp auto reset equipped thermal circuit breaker. The unit works incredibly well.

Why We Like This:

You can easily put 400 ft of chain or rope
Free-fall anchor system designed for sport fishing boats
Good investment for long term

Lewmar Marine Windlass

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The lewmar marine windlass is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily purpose. The Lewmar v1 windlass doesn't take up too much room on your boat and stylishly hides the drive train, gearbox and shaft. It provides strength in a lightweight format. It includes a windlass, rocker switch, breaker, two-direction solenoid and a handle for power and sailboats 28'-40' and fits a 1/4" g4 chain. It provides superior performance.

It is the vertical distance between the top of the anchor locker and the top of the anchor rode when the entire rode is completely stored inside. The windlass should come with an installation template and a (very important) 'gasket. It provides the highest levels of quality in the industry.

Why We Like This:

Stainless steel construction complements v series windlass
Cone clutch for smooth, easy control
Stainless body provides looks and strength

Hiniu Marine Powerful Stainless Steel Anchor Windlass

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These H series vertical windlass features custom made permanent magnet motors, which provides more lifting power than other windlass of its size on the market. Its high speed, powerful stainless steel anchor windlass makes for the most extreme conditions in the harsh marine environment. Its drop speed up to 38m per minute. Each windlass includes gypsy parts, gearbox/motor, solenoid, handle, switch panel, foot switch, and installation guide for efficient and easy mounting on your boat.

The H series windlass features custom made permanent magnet motors, which provides more lifting power than other windlass of its size on the market. It comes with a rope drum or without designed for boats.

Why We Like This: