We Ship Worldwide! Shipping information.

Maxwell windlasses for sailboats — RC and HRC rope/chain, VW, VWC, VWCLP and HWC chain-only, and the AnchorMax capstan, in 12V and 24V electric and hydraulic, for 1/4 to 1/2 in chain. Click here to read more.

Maxwell Windlasses: Series, Chain Size, Vertical or Horizontal, and Electric or Hydraulic

A windlass retrieves and deploys the anchor and chain, and a Maxwell is chosen on four things: the series (rope/chain or chain-only), whether it mounts vertical or horizontal, the gypsy that matches your chain, and the drive (12V, 24V or hydraulic). Maxwell sizes its windlasses by the overall length and displacement of the boat, and notes that working load is generally about one third of the maximum pull. The pull, chain and power figures below are Maxwell's, from its product pages.

Maxwell Windlass Families in This Collection
  • RC series (vertical rope/chain): built to take all-chain rode or chain spliced to nylon rope. RC6: 350 kg maximum pull on 1/4 in chain, 500 W, 12V or 24V. RC8: 350 kg on 1/4 in chain and 600 kg on 5/16 in chain, 600 W and 1000 W. RC10: 700 kg on 5/16 in and 850 kg on 3/8 in chain. RC12: 1,134 kg on 3/8 in and 1,590 kg on 1/2 in chain, 1200 W. The second number in a model name is the chain size in mm: an RC 10-8 takes 5/16 in chain, an RC 10-10 takes 3/8 in. Extra Deck Clearance versions are listed on the RC 8-8 and RC 12-10. Start with the RC 6, the RC 8-8, the RC 10-10 or the RC 12-10, or browse the RC series.
  • HRC series (horizontal rope/chain): the horizontal version of the same design, with the whole unit above deck. The HRC10-8 pulls 700 kg on 5/16 in chain and the HRC10-10 pulls 850 kg on 3/8 in chain. The catalog also lists the HRC 6 Free Fall and LP gypsy-only versions of the HRC 10-8 and 10-10. See the HRC 10-10, the HRC 10-10 LP and the HRC series.
  • VW and VWC (vertical, chain-only): designed for chain-only rodes, with an independent capstan for a second rode or for docking. The 1000 series pulls 700 kg and the 1500 series 850 kg on 6 to 10 mm chain, and the 3500 series pulls 1,590 kg (static hold 2,200 kg) on 10 to 13 mm chain with a 1200 W motor. Maxwell says the VWC can mount vertically or horizontally. The catalog lists them as gypsy plus drum, in 12V, 24V and hydraulic. See the VWC 1000, the VW 1500, the VWC 3500, the VWC 4000 for 7/16 in chain, and the VWC and VW collections.
  • VWCLP (low profile, gypsy only): the low-profile version of the VWC, sold without the drum, in 1000, 1500 and 3500 sizes. See the VWCLP 1000 and the VWCLP series.
  • HWC (horizontal, chain-only): Maxwell describes the 3500 series (1,590 kg, 10 to 13 mm chain, 1200 W) as having all components above deck, so nothing intrudes into the anchor locker, and lists dual chainwheel and dual capstan configurations. The catalog includes the HWC 3500 and the double-wheel HWC 3500 DBL. See the HWC 3500 and the HWC series.
  • VC and AnchorMax (capstan, drum only): the VC 500 and VC 1000 are drum-only vertical units. The AnchorMax is a 330 kg vertical capstan, 500 W, 12V or 24V, supplied single-direction (clockwise) with a deck foot switch; Maxwell gives its limits as boats up to 10 m (33 ft) and 4 tonnes, and says it is not recommended for hauling halyards. Browse the VC series.
  • Controls, spares and service: hand-held controls such as the AA320, foot switches, chain stoppers, sensor and magnet kits, emergency crank handles, motors, brush kits and seal kits. See Maxwell windlass accessories, spares and service kits.
Vertical or Horizontal
  • Vertical (RC, VW, VWC, VWCLP): gypsy and drum on deck, motor and gearbox below. Maxwell points out that the depth of fall of the rode into the locker matters when you choose between vertical and horizontal, so check the locker depth under the foredeck.
  • Horizontal (HRC, HWC): the unit sits above deck, which suits boats with a shallow locker or little access below. Maxwell also says the 1500 series can be mounted horizontally on a fore-and-aft bulkhead inside the chain locker.
  • Rope/chain or chain-only: RC and HRC are rope/chain windlasses. The VW, VWC, VWCLP and HWC families are designed for chain-only rodes. Our guide horizontal or vertical windlass goes through the trade-offs.
Choosing the Right Size

Maxwell asks you to start from the boat's overall length and displacement, light or heavy, and use its sizing chart, and treat it as a rough guide: windage, anchor size, rode, locker space and the electrical system all play a part. The model-by-length chart is in our Maxwell windlass selection guide, and windlass sizing: how much pulling power you need covers the pull side. Maxwell also recommends laying out at least three times more chain than the depth of water, and at least five to one of rode to depth for a rope/chain rode.

Gypsy, Chain Size and Grade
  • Gypsy only or gypsy plus drum: each listing states the gypsy size in the title, and the drum (capstan) is there for rope: warping, docklines or a second rode.
  • Chain size and grade: the gypsy is matched to one chain size and grade. Titles list 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16 and 1/2 in chain in BBB, G4, G4 and G3, HT G4 and G30 grades. Maxwell says to use the right size and grade so the links fit the gypsy, or the chain can jump off or jam, and to use high-test or calibrated short-link chain, not long or regular link.
  • Chain is sold by the foot: Maxwell chain in 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2 in sizes is listed by the foot. Browse Maxwell anchor and mooring chains, and read matching a windlass to your rode.
12V, 24V or Hydraulic

Catalog electric windlasses are listed in 12V and 24V, with motors rated 500 W, 600 W, 1000 W and 1200 W. Maxwell also lists 48V options and hydraulic versions, for example 138 bar and 20 l/min on the 1500 series and 138 bar and 40 l/min on the 3500 series; the catalog lists hydraulic RC, VW, VWC, VWCLP and HWC models by horsepower, from 1.34 HP to 5.00 HP. The 1200 W figure is a motor rating shared by several models, such as the HRC 10-10 and the HWC 3500, not a model name. Maxwell notes that a DC electric windlass needs a circuit breaker or isolator to protect the motor and cables: see Maxwell circuit breakers.

Who It's For

Cruising sailors fitting a first windlass, owners replacing an older Maxwell unit with the same series, and refits that need to match chain size, voltage and deck or locker layout. Comparing brands? See Lewmar, Quick and Lofrans windlasses, or how Quick, Lewmar and Maxwell compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an RC and a VWC Maxwell windlass?
The RC is a vertical rope/chain windlass, built for all-chain rode or chain spliced to nylon rope. The VWC is designed for chain-only rodes and adds an independent capstan. The HRC and HWC are the horizontal versions, with the unit above deck.

What does the model name tell me?
On the RC and HRC, the two numbers are the family and the chain size in mm (RC 10-8 is a 10 family with 8 mm chain). On the VW, VWC, VWCLP and HWC, the letters give the layout and the number (500, 1000, 1500, 3500) the size class. Our guide how to identify your Maxwell windlass model shows where it is marked.

Do I need a chain stopper?
Yes. Maxwell says accessories such as chain stoppers or chain snubbers must be used for safe anchoring, and they also help prevent the anchor launching unintentionally. See the levered chain stopper for 5/16 in chain and the guide which chain stopper you need.

Can I raise the anchor by hand if the windlass fails?
The RC and Freedom series accept an emergency crank handle for manual override, such as the 8 in emergency crank handle. The cone-type brake/clutch on the VW, VWC and HWC allows manual free-fall anchoring.

Where do I find parts for my Maxwell windlass?
Spares are keyed to the series and size, not to wattage. Start from the model plate, then go to Maxwell windlass spares, or read where to buy Maxwell windlass replacement parts.