Anchor windlass

[jla123sail]

Please reply with recommendation for an anchor windlass for a Bristol 32 - approximately 15 ' of chain and line rode. Mostly for Chesapeake Bay. Thank you.

[billknny]

Does it have to be electric? Or would you consider a manual?

For a smaller boat, occasionally anchoring, a manual windlass is a very good option. Saves a bundle on install, and always works.

[Sailmonkey]

For rhode with only 15’ of chain I wouldn’t bother with a windlass. If your struggling to raise this, technique will help more than anything else.

If you insist on an electrical windlass, we’ve got a maxwell rc800 on our allied seawind II that works well. But we’ve also got a ton of room in the chain locker for the motor and for the chain to drop.

[jla123sail]

Thank all for comments. It's just that I am getting rather old and want some comforts and not struggle raising anchor. I will add more chain if more extensive cruising develops. Any other suggestions on a brand of manual windlass or other electric winch would be appreciated.

[Mike OReilly]

For manual I'd recommend either a Simpson Lawrence Seatiger 555, or a ABI/Plath bronze. I think both are available new, but as custom orders. But they do come up fairly regularly on the used market.