Boat Anchor Winches, Windlasses & Capstans

Match the windlass to your vessel length and total ground tackle weight (anchor + chain + rope). As a rule of thumb, the winch’s maximum pull should be at least 3× the total ground tackle weight. Boats 5–7 m typically suit the Storm VR600–VR850 or a DW06–DW08 drum winch; 8–12 m vessels step up to the VR1250–VRC2500 or HR950–HR1600. Use the Windlass Selection Guide for an exact match by vessel length.

Vertical windlasses put the motor below deck for a cleaner foredeck, but need at least 300 mm of chain fall in the anchor locker. Horizontal windlasses mount entirely above deck, suit shallow lockers, and are simpler to install and service. Locker depth and deck space usually decide it — our selection guide covers both.

A drum winch stores the entire rope-and-chain rode on a drum — no anchor locker required — which makes it the go-to for trailer boats and vessels without deep lockers. A windlass feeds rope and chain through a gypsy into the locker below. Drum winches suit boats up to about 9 m; windlasses scale to any size. See the full drum winch range.

Yes — Muir has designed and manufactured anchoring systems in Kingston, Tasmania since 1968, using 1.4404 stainless steel top works and high-tensile SS431 shafts, backed by a global dealer and spare-parts network.

Often, yes — the gypsy must match your chain’s size and pitch exactly. Run your chain through the Chain Compatibility Check or the Chain Standard Matcher to confirm which models fit before you buy.