* Some small windlasses such as the Lewmar Pro Sport operate with high gearing and very low wattage.

Pulling power
The higher the maximum pull, the higher the permissible working load of the windlass and hence the heavier the ground tackle that can be handled.

Working load
During anchor recovery, the windlass will pass through a number of operation phases until the anchor is broken out of the seabed. At each phase, the working load and retrieval speed of the windlass will vary. For any anchor recovery, the windlass will operate longest during the “working load” phase but will experience a significant peak in load during anchor breakout. This peak load can be reduced where sea-room is available by motoring over the anchor to use the boat itself to breakout the anchor.
It is this significant peak load at breakout that puts the most strain on any windlass and why it is important to ensure that each boat has a windlass that maximizes this load factor. It is suggested that the safe working load be well below the windlass’s maximum pulling capacity.

Anchor locker size
This important consideration affects how much anchor rode can be placed in the locker and how much room there is for the windlass motor. The most important anchor locker measurement is its depth, since this ultimately determines how much “fall” is available. Specifically, the fall is the vertical distance between the top of the anchor locker and the top of the rode when the entire rode is completely stored inside.
Ideally, in order to allow gravity to properly feed the anchor rode from the windlass into the anchor locker, a minimum of 30 cm (12”) of fall is necessary. If this is not available, a 'mushroom' can be fitted to help spread the chain around.

Horizontal windlasses
have their drive-shaft aligned on a horizontal plane and are usually completely self-contained in an above deck mounted unit, though there are models with below deck motors to provide a slightly smaller footprint on deck. Above deck units require a hole in the deck only for the chain to pass through, which may be a strength consideration on some boats where the centre of the foredeck is reinforced.
This windlass offers the best performance with small anchor lockers. With horizontal windlasses, as the anchor rode enters the gypsy, it makes a 90° turn and feeds directly into the anchor locker.

Vertical windlasses
are aesthetically pleasing with their low-profile lines while not impinging on the available deck area. Vertical windlasses are normally installed above deck occupying minimal deck space, with a vertical rotation axis and the motor/gearbox coupled from below deck.

The solenoid unit or control box
is used to minimise the current passing through the control switches. The switch operates the solenoid which is effectively another switch connecting the battery directly to the motor. A solenoid unit is included with new windlasses. Some newer models have them integrated inside the motor case.

The circuit breaker
A circuit breaker is an overload thermal protection device for DC voltages.
These circuit breakers trip in overcurrent situations, breaking the circuit and protecting the equipment. Not usually supplied with a windlass but available as an option.

 

Normally a separate deep cycle battery would be used for the windlass, mounted as close to the unit as possible to minimise the run of high load cable. (Starter motor sized cable)

 

are not supplied with a windlass as there are multiple choices: Up/Down foot switches on the foredeck close to the windlass are common. A crew member may be stationed there to be ready to wash down mud or clear weed from the chain and anchor. Self launching/retrieving anchors can be controlled by a cockpit or wheelhouse up/down toggle switch. Wired and wireless remote controls are also available.