24V Electric Windlass
After reading a number of reviews the same windlass manufacturer names kept coming up as good pull, well built, and not excessively priced. These names were Lewmar, Maxwell, and Lofrans. Both vertical axis and horizontal axis windlass were considered. Maxwell aquired Vetus so some products are Vetus/Maxwell.
At this point the favorite is the Lewmar V3 24V vertical axis windlass with the 002 or 003 Gypsy.
Selection Criteria
An anchor between 45-100 lbs is a safe assumption. It is better to use larger chain since chain rusts and the larger chain will retain plenty of strength even with some metal lost to corrosion. For this reason ⅜" chain is preferred, with the stronger G4 chain preferred over BBB chain. ACCO ⅜" G4 is rated at 5,400 lb working load. ACCO G3 (aka BBB) is rated at 2,650 lb. Both G3 and G4 weigh about 1½ lb/ft. For 200’ of chain this is 300 lb of chain weight. Any additional rode length would be supported with line, likely ½" to ⅝" line, preferably 8 plait rather than 3 strand. The line is light. Total anchor and rode weight would be in the range of 350-450 lb.
The windlass would need a working load rating of more than the weight of anchor and anchor rode, double if possible. Most of the time the windlass is only lifting a length of chain of less than double the anchoring depth so this is conservative.
A maximum pull of 2,000 to 3,000 lbs is preferable. Most windlass can lift at a maximum speed of about 90-100 ft/min with 60 ft/min at the rated working load. Some windlass have higher maximum pull weight but lower pull speed indicating that gearing is providing some of that higher pull weight. Ideally the boat would be motored toward the anchor but having the ability to provide additional pull is helpful and safer.
A gypsy that can take chain or rope with a rope to chain splice is strongly preferred over a windlass with a separate chain and separate rope gypsy.
The windlass should be made of strong and corrosion resistant materials with corrosion resistant motor and electrical components, preferably with high water resistance such as an IP68 rating. The best material is 316 stainless steel. Aluminum alloy is light but not as strong and can corrode and composites are still lighter but even less strong.
Windlass configurations are vertical axis and horizontal axis. Most horizontal axis windlass have the motor and worm drive above the deck and so have a large above deck profile. Vertical windlass always have the motor below deck. The above deck profile is low but room is needed below deck. The alignment of the above deck and below deck assembly is critical and so glassing in a thick G10 board may be a good option for this alignment and for strength.
Horizontal Axis Windlass
Each manufacturer has one or more windlass the size range described in the prior Selection Criteria section. Lofran has the Cayman 88 and the Tigres as well as the Kobra. Maxwell has the Vetus/Maxwell HRC10-10. Lewmar has the Lewmar Pro Fish and Lewmar H3.
Lofran Horizontal Windlass
The Lofran Kobra 24V is a 1000W windlass with 374 lb working load. It is not clear what the pull is since it is listed as 2,921 lbs linear and 1,375 lbs lift. The Kobra is an unusual horizontal windlass in that the motor is mounted vertically under the deck. The working load is a little light but line speed is good and pull is good if it is 2,921 lbs but poor if it is 1,375 lbs.
The Lofran Cayman 24V is a 1000W windlass with 363 lb working load. The maximum linear pull is 2,860 lbs. The 10mm ISO gypsy supports ⅜" G4 chain and the 10mm DIN766 gypsy supports ⅜" BBB chain. The Tigres 24V is a 1500W windlass with 440 lbs working load. The maximum linear pull is 3,900 lbs. Both Cayman and Tigres have an above deck motor. The Cayman working load is a little light but the Tigres working load and pull are good.
The Lofran 10mm ISO gypsy supports ⅜" G4 chain and the 10mm DIN766 gypsy supports ⅜" BBB chain. The Kobra, Cayman, and Tigres support this gypsy. The Kobra, Cayman, and Tigres all have a separate rope drum (capstan) rather than a chain and rope gypsy. All three are made of alloy including the drum and gypsy, which seems a poor choice of materials.
Maxwell Horizontal Windlass
Maxwell's product naming is more useful than Lofran. The HRC line are horizontal windlasses. The HRC10-10 is a 1200W windlass that supports 10mm short link chain and claims to work with either ⅜" G4 chain or ⅜" BBB chain in US. The working load is not specified but the pull is only 1,870 lbs. A hydraulic motor is used with 56:1 gear box. Even with the weak pull, the lift speed is not good at 66-79 ft/min. The housing is alloy and composite and the gypsy and drum (capstan) are chrome plated bronze. The documentation only indicates a separate gypsy and drum but the LP version seems to have a chain/rope gypsy. The HRC10-10 seems underpowered, possibly due to loss in the hydraulic linkage.
Lewmar Horizontal Windlass
The Lewmar Pro and Pro Fish series seem to be light duty. The Pro 1000 and Pro-Fish 1000 are 700W windlasses with 1,000 lbs pull. These do not support ⅜" chain. On the positive side, they are made of stainless steel and support chain/rope gypsys. Due to being too light duty they cannot be considered.
The Lewmar H3 24V is a 1000W windlass. Maximum pull is 1,900 lbs for the 12V version and 2,140 lbs for the 24V version. Working load is rated at 100 lbs which is inadequate. The gypsy only version appears to be available only in 12V while the gypsy/drum version has a 12V and 24V option. This windlass enclosure is made of alloy and composite with 316 stainless steel gypsy and drum.
Horizontal Windlass Choice
None of the horizontal windlass are satisfactory. The Lofran Tigres has the capacity and if available with a chain/rope gypsy would be the best choice. Prices are in the $2,700-$3,300 range. Others are at least slightly underpowered.
Vertical Axis Windlass
More vertical windlass are available than horizontal. The vertical windlasses seem to be newer designs and there are somewhat more powerful vertical windlasses available. Lofran has the X3 24V. Maxwell has the RC10-10 24V. Lemar has the CPX3 24V and CPX4 24V, the VX3 24V, and the V3 24V.
Lofran Vertical Windlass
The Lofran X3 24V is a 1500W vertical windlass. It has a 363 lbs working load and 2,640 lbs maximum pull. Maximum line speed is 130 ft/min and line speed at working load is 55 ft/min. The gearbox is alloy and gypsy and exterior parts are chrome plated bronze. The 10103 gypsy supports ⅜" G4 chain and ¾" line. The price is in the $2,900 range. A 1700W version is available with a very high 3,729 lbs pull and 473 lbs working load but geared differently so with a slower line speed. The 1700W version pricing is in the $3,500 range.
Maxwell Vertical Windlass
The Maxwell RC10-10 24V is a 1200W windlass. It claims a 1,870 lb working load and same maximum pull which might be possible with a very hefty paul. Hauling speed is 65-79 ft/min. The gypsy supports ⅜" chain and ⅝" line and specification indicate either G4 or BBB chain on the same gypsy. The materials are chromed bronze. Price is about $2,800.
Lewmar Vertical Windlass
The Lewmar CPX3 24V is a 1000W windlass. The Lewmar CPX4 24V is a 2000W windlass. The CPX3 max pull is 2,240 lbs and working load is 535 lbs. The CPX4 max pull is 3,300 lbs and working load is 825 lbs. Maximum line speed is 98 ft/min for CPX3 and 90 ft/min for CPX4. The CPX uses alloy and composite materials. The CPX3 prices seem to be in the $2,000 range. The US CPX4 price is unknown. Availability in the US is limited.
The Lewmar VX3 24V is a 1500W windlass. Maximum pull is 2,590 lbs and working load is 648 lbs. Maximum line speed is 131 ft/min. Like the CPX, alloy and composite materials are used. Availability in the US is limited. The price is in the $2,400 range.
The Lewmar V3 24V is a 1000W windlass. The Lewmar V4 24V is a 2000W windlass. These are the pre-cost-reduced versions of the CPX3 and CPX4 and and are made of all 316 stainless steel. The Lewmar V3 24V maximum pull is 2,260 lbs and working load is 567 lbs, slightly higher than the CPX3. Maximum line speed is 128 ft/min, considerably faster than the CPX3. The V3 price is about $3,000 at West Marine and $2,700 at Defender. Defender only has the 12V version and West Marine doesn't specify so 12V can be assumed. Other sources have the 24V version but in some cases at a much higher price.
The Lewmar Gypsy 002 supports 10 mm DIN 766 and ⅜" Campbell S4. The Lewmar Gypsy 003 supports 10 mm ISO 4565 and ⅜" Campbell S3. Neither mention G4 or BBB. Both gypsys support ⅝" line.
Vertical Windlass Choice
Lofran X3 1500W 24V has a good pull and the 1700W great pull. The working load is lower than the Lewmar windlasses and the cost is high for the specs and considering the materials used. The Lewmar VX3 24V is powerful enough and low cost. The Lewmar V3, despite being 1000W rather than 1500W like the VX3 has close to the same working load and maximum pull. Both have very fast line speed. The extra cost of the Lewmar V3 vs the Lewmar VX3 might be worth it to get all 316 stainless steel construction.