Anchor Windlass

An anchor windlass is a deck-mounted mechanical device used to lower, hold and retrieve a boat’s anchor and rode. It may be manual, electric or hydraulic, and uses a chainwheel or gypsy to grip chain, rope or a combination rode under controlled load.

For boaters, a reliable windlass makes anchoring safer and more precise, particularly with heavy gear, deep water or short-handed crews. It must be matched to the vessel’s Anchor Chain, Anchor Rode and required Anchoring Scope, with the load secured by a stopper or cleat rather than left on the windlass alone.

Common related equipment includes horizontal, vertical, electric and hydraulic windlasses, plus bow rollers, swivels and chainstoppers. Before choosing an anchorage or retrieving in rising conditions, PredictWind forecasts, tides and wave data help assess wind shifts, swell exposure and safe timing.