Chainwheel

A chainwheel is the toothed or pocketed wheel in an anchor windlass that engages calibrated anchor chain. As the windlass turns, the chainwheel grips each link, transferring power to raise, lower, or veer the anchor rode in a controlled manner. It is also commonly called a gypsy on many yachts.

For boaters, the chainwheel’s size and profile must match the chain exactly; a worn or mismatched unit can jump, jam, or damage the links under load. Reliable engagement supports safe anchoring alongside the Anchor Windlass, Anchor Chain, and Chainstopper, especially when recovering ground tackle in wind, swell, or limited manoeuvring space.

Inspect for hooked pockets, corrosion, loose fasteners, and smooth clutch operation before extended cruising. While PredictWind does not monitor the chainwheel itself, wind, wave, and Tidal Current forecasts help you choose sheltered anchorages and avoid loading anchoring gear beyond its limits.