How to Size a Windlass
A properly-sized windlass will make raising your anchor a simple affair. Lifting an anchor by hand or with a manual windlass can be a backbreaking and messy process--particularly if your mooring spot is over a mossy mud bottom. Power options for a modern windlass, or anchor winch, include electric AC or DC current as well as hydraulic systems. Once you choose the power source that best fits your boat, decide what size is best to fit your needs.
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Instructions
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Calculate the weight of your ground tackle. Use a scale to weigh your anchor, chain and rope.
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Multiply the weight of your ground tackle by three.
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The result from the two previous steps is the minimum safe pulling capacity for your windlass. If the total weight of your ground tackle was 200 pounds, the minimum capacity for your winch should be 600 pounds.
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Tips & Warnings
The calculation above meets the minimum safety requirements. It is always a good idea to add a margin-of-error while afloat. Purchase the next larger size. Even if you never need the reserve capacity, it will add to the value of your boat.
The choice of a vertical (traditional) or horizontal windlass is often determined by the amount of room in the chain locker. A 12-inch minimum fall is recommended to prevent tangling. If your chain locker meets or exceeds this requirement, the choice is purely aesthetic.
