Maxwell stamps its windlasses two ways: a letter prefix — RC, HRC, VC, VW, VWC, or HWC — names the parts family, and a number from 500 to 3500 stamped into the chainwheel or winch-handle opening names the size within it. MAURIPRO stocks genuine Maxwell parts sorted by that same family and size, so getting the ID right the first time means the right part arrives the first time.
On a 30–45 ft cruiser with an older or unlabeled Maxwell windlass, "I have a Maxwell windlass" isn't enough information to order a seal kit, a motor, or a stripper arm — Maxwell has sold this line under at least three naming systems (RC, HRC, and the VC/VW/VWC/HWC chain-only family, plus the legacy Freedom 500/800 units) and the parts are not interchangeable across them.
This guide walks through where Maxwell actually marks the model on the unit, what the prefix and number each tell you, and the one mix-up (wattage vs. model number) that sends the most orders to the wrong part.
Maxwell windlass identification at a glance
| Family | Orientation & config | Where it's marked | Example (MAURIPRO SKU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnchorMax | Vertical, drum-only, chain + rope | "ANCHORMAX" engraved on the drum cap | AnchorMax 500W (MAXANCHORMAX) |
| RC series (RC6–RC12-12) | Vertical, gypsy-only or gypsy + drum | Model code in the winch-handle star opening, or the gearbox nameplate below deck | RC 10-10, 1000W (MAXRC101012V) |
| HRC series (HRC-6–HRC10-10) | Horizontal, gypsy-only or gypsy + drum | Model and motor wattage on the gearbox housing nameplate | HRC 10-10, 1200W (MAXHRC101012V) |
| VC / VW / VWC / HWC (500–3500) | Vertical or horizontal, chain-only, gypsy-only or gypsy + drum | Number cast directly into the chainwheel's top face | HWC 3500, 1200W (MAXHWC350012V054) |
| Legacy Freedom 500 / 800 | Vertical, chain + rope (no longer sold new) | Number stamped in the chainwheel's bi-square opening, per Maxwell's own manuals | Freedom 500 stripper-arm kit (MAX-P100084) |
How do you find the model number stamped on your Maxwell windlass?
Start with the chainwheel — the round, splined wheel that grips the chain. On Maxwell's VC/VW/VWC/HWC family, the model number is cast directly into the metal at the center of the chainwheel's top face; it isn't a sticker that peels off or fades. You can see this on the HWC 3500 unit below, where "3500" is stamped right into the chainwheel face next to the winch-handle socket.
On the RC and older Freedom-series windlasses, Maxwell doesn't always stamp the number as boldly. Boat owners and Maxwell's own manuals point to two other places: the winch-handle star opening at the top center of the unit (the code can be stamped inside that socket), and a nameplate or tag on the gearbox housing itself — which on a vertical windlass usually means opening a below-deck locker or removing a chain-locker board to see it. If neither is legible, the unit's serial number (often on the gearbox body) is enough for Maxwell or MAURIPRO to identify it from photos.
From our systems bench: don't assume a corroded or painted-over chainwheel means the number is gone for good — a wire brush and a close look often reveal a stamp that photographs poorly but reads fine in person. Photograph it in raking light (a flashlight held at a low angle) before assuming you need a serial-number lookup instead.
Does the letter prefix — RC, HRC, VC, VW, VWC, or HWC — tell you anything?
Yes, and it narrows the parts search before the number does. Per MAURIPRO's own Maxwell sizing data: RC models are vertical rope/chain windlasses (motor and gearbox below deck); HRC models are the horizontal version of the same rope/chain design (the whole unit sits above deck); and the VC/VW/VWC/HWC family covers chain-only windlasses, offered in both vertical and horizontal mounts and in gypsy-only or gypsy-plus-drum configurations, spanning the 500 through 3500 size range. A stripped bearing kit, seal kit, or stripper arm is sized to one of these families — a VC/VWC seal kit will not fit an RC gearbox, even if the numbers on the box look similar.
If you're not sure which family fits your boat and are shopping for a replacement rather than identifying an existing unit, MAURIPRO's full Maxwell Windlasses Selection Guide has the complete model-to-boat-length chart.
What does the number — 500, 1000, 1500, 2200, 2500, 3500 — actually mean?
Within the VC/VW/VWC/HWC family, the number identifies a size class matched to boat length, not a literal pulling-force spec in pounds that MAURIPRO can independently verify unit by unit. Per Maxwell's own published sizing (also detailed in our selection guide), the range runs roughly: 500 for 22–37 ft boats, 1000 for 27–42 ft, 1500 for 30–53 ft, 2200 for 37–58 ft, 2500 for 40–61 ft, and 3500 for 45–68 ft. Two windlasses from different sub-families (say, a VWC 3500 and an HWC 3500) can share the same number because they're sized for the same boat-length class, even though one mounts vertically and the other horizontally.
Treat the number as "which size bracket," and the prefix as "which physical layout" — you need both to order the correct seal kit, motor, or gearbox part.
Why does your windlass say "1200W" if it isn't labeled a "1200" model?
This is the mix-up behind a real, common search: buyers see "1200W" printed on their windlass and assume it's a model called "1200," then can't find a match. Per MAURIPRO's own product data, 1200W is a motor power rating shared across several different models — both the HRC 10-10 and the HWC 3500 run 1200W motors, despite being a different family (HRC vs. HWC) and a different size number (10-10 vs. 3500) entirely. Wattage tells you how strong the motor is; it doesn't tell you the family or the size class. Order parts by the prefix + number combination, not by the wattage printed on the motor housing.
What if you still can't find a legible stamp or plate?
On an older boat, corrosion, paint, or a prior owner's re-bed can obscure every marking. If the chainwheel stamp and gearbox nameplate are both unreadable, don't guess — order the wrong seal kit for a similar-looking size and you'll be re-ordering and re-shipping before the anchor comes back up. Photograph the chainwheel face, the gearbox housing, the overall unit from a few angles, and note your boat's length overall; that combination is usually enough for Maxwell or MAURIPRO to match the unit from photos alone. Legacy Freedom 500 and 800 units are a common case here — Maxwell no longer sells the windlass new, but MAURIPRO still stocks Freedom-specific parts like the stripper-arm kits, so an old unit is very often still serviceable even without a fully legible tag.
Common mistakes to avoid
Ordering by motor wattage instead of prefix + number. "1200W" alone matches more than one Maxwell family — you need the letter prefix and the size number together.
Reading "3500" as a pulling-force spec in pounds. It's a size class tied to boat length, not a literal load rating you can plug into a ground-tackle calculation.
Confusing RC (vertical) with HRC (horizontal) from memory. Check whether the gearbox and motor sit below deck (RC) or the whole housing sits above deck (HRC) before ordering a gearbox or motor part — the two aren't interchangeable.
Which Maxwell parts family do you order once you've identified the model?
Once you have the prefix and number, go to MAURIPRO's Where to Buy Maxwell Windlass Replacement Parts guide and match by part type — circuit breaker, motor, brush kit, gearbox seal kit, crank handle, or deck control — using your now-confirmed family and size to pick the correctly sized version of that part (for example, the gearbox seal kit is sold separately for the 800 series versus the 2200/3500 series). If your unit is a legacy Freedom 500 or 800, search MAURIPRO's Maxwell Windlasses collection directly by "Freedom" for the parts still stocked for that line.
Maxwell Bearing Kit 300-3500 (MAX-P90007) — a rebuild-grade bearing and retaining-ring kit spanning the VC/VW/VWC size range once you've confirmed your unit falls in that family.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the model number located on a Maxwell windlass?
On the VC/VW/VWC/HWC chain-only family, it's cast directly into the top face of the chainwheel. On RC and older Freedom-series units, check the winch-handle star opening and the gearbox nameplate, which on a vertical unit often means accessing it below deck.
What's the difference between Maxwell's RC and HRC windlasses?
Both are rope/chain windlasses using the same core mechanism, but RC mounts the motor and gearbox below deck (vertical), while HRC keeps the entire unit above deck (horizontal). They use different gearbox and motor parts despite the shared "RC" root in the name.
Does "VWC 3500" mean 3,500 lb of pulling power?
No — per Maxwell's published sizing, the number identifies a size class matched to boat length (roughly 45–68 ft for the 3500 class), not a literal pulling-force spec in pounds. MAURIPRO doesn't publish a verified per-unit pulling-force figure for this number, so don't use it as a load calculation input.
Can you still get parts for an older Maxwell Freedom 500 or 800?
Yes. Maxwell no longer sells the Freedom windlass new, but MAURIPRO stocks Freedom-specific parts — including stripper-arm kits for both the 500 and 800 — so an older unit is often still fully serviceable.
What if the stamp on my windlass is corroded and unreadable?
Don't guess and order by size alone. Photograph the chainwheel face, the gearbox housing, the whole unit, and note your boat's length overall, then send those to Maxwell or MAURIPRO — that's usually enough to identify the model without a legible stamp.
Which Maxwell windlass parts should you buy from MAURIPRO?
Maxwell AA560 Chain/Rope Count & Windlass Control, Black (MAXP102944) — pairs with a family-matched sensor kit to add a rode counter to a windlass that didn't originally have one.
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See also: Maxwell Windlasses Selection Guide, Where to Buy Maxwell Windlass Replacement Parts, and Gypsy & Chain Compatibility: Matching a Windlass to Your Rode.
Last updated: September 14, 2026.