Does my boat have an electric windlass?
Updated on: 26/05/2025On most modern liveaboard boats, you’ll find a windlass, which is usually electric. If this is the case, it will be listed in the boat’s specifications. It consists of a metal winch equipped with a small motor at the bow of the boat, operated by a remote control. As it rotates, it raises or lowers the chain. Note that if the windlass is manual rather than electric (or if the electric motor is broken), you will need to raise the anchor by hand, which is quite physically demanding, especially on a large boat.
Caution: When retrieving the anchor with an electric windlass, it is important that the skipper at the helm engages the main engine and moves slowly toward the anchor as the crew member at the bow operating the windlass remote control raises the anchor. The chain must always remain vertical while the windlass is turning, and never tilted. Otherwise, this means that instead of pulling the anchor toward the boat, the windlass pulls the boat (which is extremely heavy) toward the anchor! This will certainly damage it. Windlass breakdowns resulting from this misuse are relatively common among negligent renters. We’re counting on you!
Here is a diagram:
