Windlass
A windlass is the powered winch on a yacht's foredeck that raises and lowers the anchor and chain. On superyachts it is almost always hydraulic, sized to at least three times the working weight of the ground tackle, and paired with a separate chain stopper that takes the load once anchored.
What is a yacht windlass?
A windlass is the powered winch sited on the foredeck of a yacht whose function is to raise and lower the anchor and its chain. It is the working heart of the ground-tackle system: the chain gypsy, a notched wheel machined to the exact pitch of the stud-link chain, engages each link in turn and hauls the rode in or pays it out under control. Larger units carry a second drum, the warp drum or capstan head, used for handling mooring lines.
Windlasses come in two orientations. A vertical windlass carries the gypsy on a vertical shaft, with the motor and gearbox mounted below deck; this keeps the foredeck profile low. A horizontal windlass mounts the gypsy and motor on a horizontal shaft above deck, and is favoured where locker depth is limited.
On superyachts above roughly 30m, windlasses are almost always hydraulic, driven off the yacht's central hydraulic ring main. Hydraulic units handle the high duty cycles and the heavy stud-link chain. Below 30m, electric windlasses remain common. Leading manufacturers: Maxwell, Lewmar, Data Hidrolik, MZ Electronic and Sleipner.
Why it matters for yacht owners
The windlass is one of the few pieces of deck machinery used on essentially every day at anchor, often under load and frequently in difficult conditions. A correctly sized, well-maintained hydraulic windlass recovers a heavy anchor and full scope of chain quickly and quietly; an undersized or worn unit stalls, overheats and turns a routine departure into a foredeck problem.
For buyers, the windlass is a clear survey marker. Service history, hydraulic pressure tests, gypsy wear and the condition of the separate chain stopper are all examined at pre-purchase.
Key facts
- Sized to pulling power of at least 3x the total weight of the ground tackle; Lewmar specifies up to 4x for larger units.
- Vertical windlasses keep the motor below deck and give the gypsy more than 3/4 turn of chain wrap.
- Horizontal windlasses mount the gypsy above deck and suit installations with limited locker depth.
- Most superyachts above 30m use hydraulic windlasses driven off the central hydraulic ring main.
- The chain gypsy is machined to the exact pitch of the stud-link chain and is not interchangeable.
- A separate chain stopper on deck takes the static load once the anchor is set.
- Leading manufacturers: Maxwell, Lewmar, Data Hidrolik, MZ Electronic, Sleipner.
- Class society approval (Lloyd's, RINA, DNV, ABS, BV) required on commercially registered yachts.
Buying a yacht
View moreFAQ
What is the difference between a vertical and a horizontal windlass?
A vertical windlass carries the chain gypsy on a vertical shaft, with the motor below deck. This keeps the foredeck profile low and wraps the chain more than 3/4 of a turn around the gypsy. A horizontal windlass mounts the gypsy and motor on a horizontal shaft above deck; the unit suits installations with shallow anchor lockers.
Are superyacht windlasses hydraulic or electric?
On yachts above roughly 30m, windlasses are almost always hydraulic, driven off the yacht's central hydraulic ring main. Hydraulic drive handles the heavy stud-link chain and near-continuous duty under load. Electric windlasses remain standard below 30m.
How is a windlass sized for a superyacht?
The industry rule is that the windlass should have pulling power of at least 3× the total weight of the ground tackle. Maxwell publishes this 3× figure; Lewmar specifies up to 4× on larger ranges. Class society sizing typically exceeds the 3× rule and is binding on commercial registrations.
What is the difference between a windlass and a chain stopper?
A windlass is the powered winch that raises and lowers the anchor and chain. A chain stopper is a passive deck fitting, sited forward of the windlass, that locks onto a chain link and takes the static load of the yacht at anchor. The two are always installed as a pair.
The Superyacht Partners
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