What is a Ground Tackle System
A windlass is the centerpiece of a boat’s ground tackle system. This system includes a boat's primary anchor, anchor roller, rode (which can be all-rope, rope-chain or all-chain), usually a chain locker, and deck hardware such as a chain stopper or cleat.

The Ideal
Ideally, windlasses should raise and lower anchor line without operator intervention except to push a button. Anchor rodes can be under great tension, and pose a risk to fingers, feet, hands, etc. We don't like the idea of transferring a line under tension from a capstan to a chain wildcat in the middle of weighing anchor, or clearing a jam from a balky system. Furthermore, we believe that windlasses should pass the line below decks to a locker, rather than pile the line on deck so that you have to stow it. For these reasons, we prefer a self-tailing/self-stowing windlass that does not require the operator to come into contact with the rode.

Anchor Lockers
A self-stowing windlass requires that your anchor locker be set up correctly. Specifically, the anchor rode must have a long "fall" so that it doesn't stack up under the incoming rode. A poor anchor locker design will render the installation of an otherwise ideal windlass useless. If your boat is not equipped with an anchor locker or you are unwilling to create one, then you will need to use a capstan-style windlass that deposits the rode on deck.

Vertical vs Horizontal Style
Horizontal style windlasses work better on installations with small anchor lockers and in installations with limited vertical fall. Horizontal windlass motors are protected within the windlass case. Horizontal windlasses offer more lead flexibility in the vertical plane for installations over toe rails or into lockers. However, alignment in the horizontal plane is critical, as horizontal windlasses cannot accept a rode lead from an off-center angle. Because vertical windlass motors are exposed within the anchor locker, they require a longer fall within the locker to avoid feeding problems. Vertical windlasses offer more flexibility in the horizontal plane for off-center installations.

Rodes and Gypsies
If you have a length of chain that you would like to use, make sure it is a type that the windlass gypsy will accept. If you will be using a combination of rope and chain, the rope will have to be joined to the chain with a proper splice, rather than a shackle, to avoid jamming in the gypsy.

Capacity
Assuming you have chosen the correct ground tackle for your boat, use this formula to calculate the "pulling capacity" of the windlass you need: (anchor weight + chain weight) x 3. In order to avoid overestimating the size of the windlass you need, this calculation should be based on the maximum depth in which the boat will anchor, not on the total length of the rode. Windlasses are not designed to hold boats at anchor. Nor are they designed to sustain the load encountered when a stubborn anchor fails to break free. In these situations, the rode should be secured to a bollard, cleat, or more conveniently to a chain stopper, which we suggest be part of your windlass system.