Windlass Reputation

[zboss]

Hi,

I am looking at making a bid on a 40 footer that has a manual lofrans windlass. While I understand that manual windlasses are the most reliable in general... which manufacturer of electric capstans (specifically) has the best reputation among blue water cruisers?

Thanks!

- z

[skipmac]

I have a 25 year old Simpson Lawrence that is great but if I bought new would go with a Maxwell.

[onestepcsy37]

lofrans.

[downunder]

Maxwell and Muir are well considered.

I quite like the USA made Lighthouse looking on web but haven't had any personal experience to be able to evaluate it.

Cheers

[Bash]

I'd trade my horizontal Simpson Lawrence for a horizontal Loftrans in a flash.

Any takers?

[zboss]

its a dead heat...

[Greg4cocokai]

Love our horizontal Maxwell. Not too hot on the vertical Lafrans.

[endoftheroad]

Check out this sexy girl!
She should be in Sports Illustrated with those 1500 watt annodised curves.
Lofrans Tigres Windlass 1500 Watt Binnacle.com

[aclmck]

Before you purchase make sure you understand the required maintenance for the winch and if they have parts that wear out constantly, we had a maxwell and it had a yellow plastic part that wore out quickly and a pain to have to play with and replace. not costly parts but still a problem if you don't have a spare.
Some vertical winches have electrical components that are in the splash zone of the chain or rope which causes more problems. others require large drops for chain or rope to work unaided (constantly moving by hand the warp) do your homework and you will be rewarded.

[zboss]

I am looking at the Lighthouse Model 1501. They look awesome but they are really expensive!

Lighthouse Manufacturing USA

[zeehag]

my boat came with a lofrans 1000--i am glad i bought a manual abi bronze back up, a smy electric was disabled fro 2 yrs....when we get the lofrans operating again it will have 2 solenoids and not be lofrans anymore, but modded......lol turbo charge that windlass......

[Group9]

I have a 22 year old Maxwell on my boat that works flawlessly.

[neilpride]

i have a lofrans , same as in that picture, No problems so far in the last 8 years, just pay attention to disimilar metals and last for a life...

[Singleprop]

Ideal Windlass, stainless steel (no aluminium, aluminum), so a bit expensive.

[JRM]

Originally Posted by zboss

I am looking at the Lighthouse Model 1501. They look awesome but they are really expensive!

Lighthouse Manufacturing USA

I have the lighthouse. It's great. Came with the boat, which basically sat unused for six years, works like a champ. The company is still around, they're out in the desert east of LA. I stopped in a while ago and picked up the reversing kit. Actual humans you can get on the phone.

They also just released a wireless remote system.

As you noted, they aren't cheap. But you get what you pay for...

JRM