Windlass Trouble or Blessing? Lewmar, maxwell, lofrans

[jdisarro]

My Leroy Somer windlass bit the dust and since they don't make them it is time to pick a new one, so advice is needed.
I have a 38 ft cat and want to go with new 5/16 HT Chain ( less weight and stronger the 3/8)
Do I Go With The
Lofrans Cayman Compact, ( My Least favorite Choice)
or Maxwell HRC 10-8
or
Lewmar H2 Gypsy and Drum.
My displacement is 25,000 lbs. We are liveaboards and do a lot of anchoring.

all opinions and experiences welcome
Regards,
Capt John

[Stumble]

I am a big fan of the lewmar, but can't say I have a lot of experience with the others.

Size is dictated by the weight of the anchor+chain not the weight of the boat. But I am typically of the opinion on things like this oversized is better than just right. I wouldn't pull off a working unit, but a larger one typically isn't much more than the smaller, but has greater reserve.

[pbiJim]

I'm not sure why you want to go with the smaller chain if you are going to be using it with a windless. A smaller diameter chain will need to be a longer length to give you the same pull angle on the anchor & the same holding power. I don't understand if you are using all chain, or a combinaiton of a short chain with rope.