Windlass

A windlass is a deck-mounted mechanical device used to pay out and recover a vessel’s anchor rode, normally chain, rope, or a combination of both. It uses a gypsy or chainwheel, and sometimes a capstan drum, to control the load, typically mounted on the foredeck near the bow roller.

For boaters, a reliable windlass reduces strain on crew and improves control when anchoring, especially in deep water, strong wind, or limited manoeuvring room. It must match the vessel’s Anchor, Anchor Chain, and Anchoring Scope so the ground tackle deploys smoothly and holds securely.

Windlasses may be manual, electric, or hydraulic, with horizontal and vertical layouts to suit different foredeck arrangements. Before anchoring, PredictWind forecasts help assess wind shifts, gusts, swell, and Tidal Current, so you can choose a sheltered anchorage and avoid overloading the windlass during retrieval.