Maxwell RC8-8

[kmacdonald]

Anyone have experience with a Maxwell RC8-8 windlass? After adding 90 feet of 5/16" chain and a properly sizes anchor, its hard to manually pull the anchor up in all but shallow water. I never had an issue with all rode and undersized anchor but I feel my luck was running out.

[rslifkin]

I've got the bigger brother HRC10-8 and have been happy with it. It handles a rope/chain splice (5/16" chain, 5/8" 8 plait line) quite well. As long as your total ground tackle weight is under 330 lbs (25% of rated working load for the windlass) it should be plenty adequate for your needs.

[smj]

We used an RC-6 windlass with 80’ 1/4” G4 spliced to 1/2” three strand and a 45lb anchor for 5 years, worked great and never had a problem.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Anyone have experience with a Maxwell RC8-8 windlass? After adding 90 feet of 5/16" chain and a properly sizes anchor, its hard to manually pull the anchor up in all but shallow water. I never had an issue with all rode and undersized anchor but I feel my luck was running out.

Battery age? Voltage drop?

Just throwing darts. We had an RC10-10, no issues with chain and an oversize anchor... but that doesn't really speak to your situation.

-Chris

[Tsuru]

HRC 10-8. 100 meters of 5/16" G7 and 33 kg anchor. Works well, although it requires yearly service.

[Rucksta]

RC8-8 indicates a gypsy set for 8mm chain.

The difference between 5/16 and 8mm is small.
There are variations in chain specification depending on grade and manufacturer.

Chain wear and corrosion are additional variables.
So is wear on the gypsy

The differences can add up

My RC8-8 hauls Lofrans G43 8mm chain and 15mm 8 plait line easily though I go slow at the splice.

When I run 8mm generic chain from a big box marine store the winch chatters.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Rucksta

RC8-8 indicates a gypsy set for 8mm chain.

The difference between 5/16 and 8mm is small.
There are variations in chain specification depending on grade and manufacturer.

Chain wear and corrosion are additional variables.
So is wear on the gypsy

The differences can add up

My RC8-8 hauls Lofrans G43 8mm chain and 15mm 8 plait line easily though I go slow at the splice.

When I run 8mm generic chain from a big box marine store the winch chatters.

Maxwell publishes a chart of what chain grades will work in each of their gypsies. From what I remember, most of their 8mm gypsies are listed to take 5/16" BBB, 5/16" G43, and a few different specs of 8mm chain.