Maxwell Anchoring Systems
Maxwell equipment is born of innovation and backed by years of experience in the manufacture of the world’s highest-quality anchor windlasses, ancillary deck gear and stern-handling products.
To make the proper selection in anchor-handling equipment it is important to carefully consider the style and size of boat, the anticipated anchoring conditions, and the weight and type of ground tackle. Maxwell has an extensive range of windlasses for all types of ground tackle, bow configurations, locker spaces and power requirements including:
- The vertical stainless steel (AISI 316) RC Series and the horizontal HRC Series, which automatically handle rope/chain combination rodes and are suitable for boats
- from 4.5m (15ft) up to approximately 22m (75ft)
- The evolutionary RC12 Series winches, which automatically handles rope/chain combination rodes and is suitable for lighter displacement vessels up to approximately 24m (80ft)
- The multipurpose VC (Vertical Capstan) Series, which can be used for all types of line handling
- The traditional rope and chain VW (Vertical Windlass) Series, designed for manually handling a rope and chain combination anchor rode joined by a conventional shackle and eye splice. (The exception being the hybrid VW10.)
- The VWC (Vertical Windlass/Capstan) and HWC (Horizontal Windlass/ Capstan) Series, which handle chain-only rodes automatically
Vertical or horizontal - Maxwell offers both
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, or rope/chain alignment with the bow roller, while not as critical as horizontal windlass alignment, should be within a tolerance of about +/- 2% for smooth retrieval of chain or rope/chain. Rode (rope/chain) alignment with RC Series winches is more critical (consult Owner’s Manual). With vertical systems more chain is in contact with the chainwheel, thereby minimizing 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 extreme deck thickness (over 200mm / 8”), limited below deck accessibility or when two anchors must be handled from one winch. Maxwell products are distributed and supported worldwide by an extensive service network.
Each winch is available with a circuit breaker of an appropriate size to provide electrical protection during normal winch operation. Maxwell capstan winches and anchor windlasses fitted with capstan drums are manufactured with Maxwell’s fluted stainless steel (AISI 316) design to ensure the best possible grip and control of rope lines or rodes.
