A windlass is a device that’s used to get a boat anchor from below the water. Think of it as a nautical version of a winch that’s used on land vehicles to tow them out of a particular location if they break down. You know that an anchor is a valuable item in keeping an anchor in place to prevent your Quintrex Tinnie boat from drifting away when it doesn’t need to leave the dock or someplace else you want to moor for a while. So, what is a windlass all about? And what are its uses? What are the important things to keep in mind when buying a windlass for your boat?

What are the Uses of a Windlass?

First, let’s get to know what is a windlass all about. Windlass, as mentioned before, helps you retrieve your boat anchor easily so you don’t need to manually pull up the anchor that you’ve thrown down the water after you are anchored on the spot. You can easily purchase a windlass in your local marine shop.

What are the Two Types of Windlass?

• Horizontal Windlasses: These are installed completely above the deck which makes them easier to install since they’re straightforward and can be easily accessed for maintenance. The only downside of this is that the motor is completely exposed to elements like sunlight and seawater. They’re also required to be mounted on the bow roller since the ride must be directly in line with the gypsy. Horizontal windlasses also require less anchor locker space compared to vertical ones.
• Vertical Windlasses: Vertical windlasses meanwhile, have their motor located below the deck. This is one of their best features since you don’t have to worry about the weather affecting them. However, the downside of this windlass is that it could corrode due to the damp conditions of your anchor locker. And since the vertical windlass is partly below the deck, installation and access for service are more difficult. Typically, vertical windlasses have 180 degrees of chain wrapped around the gypsy, making them very secure compared to horizontal windlasses that only have half the bearing area.

What are Windlass Chains?

Windlass chains basically come in two types: BBB chain and HT chain. It’s important to know which type of chain your windlass will accept because one is not compatible with the other. Here are some differences between BBB and HT chains:

• HT Chains: This is the most common type of chain that windlasses accept. They are very popular for their high-load limit which can reach more than 9,000 lbs. They’re widely used because they provide a uniform fitment for different windlasses as long as they have the “HT” mark.
• BBB and Proof Coil Chains: This used to be the gold standard for windlass chains but has fallen out of favour for HT chains. You won’t match windlasses with an “HT” mark and generally have a working load far lower than the HT chain.

The windlass chains’ load limit determines their durability. As a general rule, a bigger chain size means higher strength. Take note, you can’t fit just about any chain size to your windlass except the one that’s specified by the product manufacturer because it can damage your windlass.

Mounting a Windlass

If you’ll be installing a vertical windlass on your boat, you may create two holes on the foredeck; one for the motor and the other where the chain can be fed down. For electric windlasses, be very careful of the wires’ size and how the wires run from the batteries to the chain locker.

When using a windlass, here are some tips you should follow to avoid accidents and ensure your windlass works properly:

Keep your hands away from the moving parts such as the chain, gypsy, etc., so you don’t get hurt. If you have an electric windlass, the power panel should be “on” otherwise, your windlass remote won’t work. Let out 5x the amount of anchor chain based on water depth. Doing this helps you snugly cling your anchor to the bottom. You don’t want it to be too loose or too tight.