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DDabs · 12-05-2014, 15:33

I am having a dilemma finding recent information regarding windlass choices.

I am wondering, for a 40 ft. sailboat, 23,000 lbs., which windlass might perform better? Dealing with mostly chain.

Lewmar V3 vs. Maxwell RC10

I would love any opinions.

David

Cheechako · 12-05-2014, 16:03

I've just had such good results with Maxwell I would be hard pressed to try another. There is a January You Tube post on the Lewmar V3 shaft bending after 1 use. Hard to say what that means really.

DDabs · 12-05-2014, 16:08

Cheechako, I've seen that video and it threw me off. I've always heard that the quality is similar on Lewmar and Maxwell. For what it's worth, all of the rigging and gear on my boat is Lewmar, but that doesn't really matter much.

Is the RC10 a suitable choice for my size vessel?

Cheechako · 12-05-2014, 16:20

Yeah, not sure one video fro an irate customer means much. The RC 10 seems appropriate for your boat to me.

belizesailor · 12-05-2014, 21:19

Recently installed a Maxwell RC8-8 and have been using for several months now (cruising). Very well made.

Captained a boat with a Lewmar V series (forget which) just before buying the Maxwell and it just did not seem to be same quality (lighter built, slower, but I had no problems with it). That threw my decision to Maxwell.

Re sizing. Maxwell uses 3x max expected ground tackle weight (as do others) to give "max pull" load. Since you should only be normally lifting unloaded ground tackle, vessel size/displacement are not direct considerations (only indirect in that they will determine anchor and chain selection). For example, in my case (lighter boat than yours), I assumed max anchor plus chain weight rounded up to 250lbs. So MAX PULL of only 750 lbs. An RC6 is rated for this but I wanted to use 5/16 G4 chain (no 5/16 version of the RC6) and liked the faster retrieval speeds of the RC8 so went with that. No regrets.

Maxwell's sizing recommendations below:

http://www.maxwellmarine.com/gen_which_winch.php

DDabs · 12-05-2014, 21:33

belizesailor, thanks alot for your input. I was able to look at both Lewmar and Maxwell at the Miami boat show, and I agree with what you're saying. The Maxwell does seem like a better built unit. Not to mention the Maxwell is about $350 cheaper than the Lewmar.

Terra Nova · 12-05-2014, 21:44

Regarding the rope/chain combination gypsy, I have no experience. But I have installed many windlasses, and like the utility of an open drum. So that would leave out the RC10.

The biggest mistake people make is going too cheap/too small. TN has a Maxwell and all 3/8 G4 chain primary rode. Err on the heavy side.

belizesailor · 12-05-2014, 22:17

Re rope/chain. Another thing to like about the Maxwell is their "wave" gypsy. I've got about 100' of 3/4" 3-strand long spliced to the end of my chain...just in case I need a lot of rode. Even though 3/4" is oversized for the gypsy it handles it well. Even feeds the long splice pretty smoothly and grips the rope firmly.