Please call Maxwell at (919) 791-3845 for Technical Support

Maxwell equipment is born of innovation and backed by years of experience. All our anchor windlasses, ancillary deck gear, stern-handling products and accessories provide a level of quality, functionality, durability and style that is unparalleled in the industry.

To make the proper selection in anchor-handling equipment, it is important to give careful consideration to the style and size of boat, the anticipated anchoring conditions, and the weight and type of ground tackle.

Vertical vs Horizontal Winches

Vertical systems have several advantages: They take up less space on deck and are easier to maintain. They are less expensive than equivalent horizontal models. Chain alignment for smooth chain retrieval, while important, is not as critical as horizontal windlass alignment. With vertical systems more chain is in contact with the chainwheel thus avoiding the possibility of chain jump. Line-pull on the warping drum can be in any direction, as opposed to fore and aft only on horizontal models.

Horizontal models have the advantage of being better suited to applications where there is limited below deck space / accessibility, extreme deck thickness (over 200mm - 8"), or where two anchors must be handled from one winch.