Are you planning to buy a new anchor chain winch for your boat? Do you know which factors matter the most in the long run? Do you have a fixed budget? Are you aware of the major brands in this space? There are plenty of anchor winches available in the market for sale at various price points. In fact, you could buy one for around $200 but you can also spend close to $1000 or even more.
In short, there is a wide range and most boat owners don’t really know what factors to look at when buying this range. In this blog post, we will explore the factors that really matter in the long run and what you should look at when buying an anchor chain winch to get the best value for your money.
Power Source
If your boat didn’t have a winch and this is going to be your first one, you should know that there are hydraulic, electric as well as manually operated winches. Depending on the size and weight of your boat, you should choose one. Electric winches are the most popular but these are mostly preferred for recreational boats. If you have a smaller boat, it wouldn’t be difficult to use a manual winch. On the other hand, a hydraulic anchor winch marine is the best option for a big boat.
Vertical or Horizontal
If you’re confused by these terms, it refers to the shaft orientation of the winch. Another way to determine whether a winch is horizontal or vertical is to take a look at the chain wheel orientation. If the chain wheel is horizontal, it is a vertical winch whereas a vertical chain wheel means a horizontal winch.
Horizontal anchor winches are preferred in boats that do not have a lot of space below the deck. In most cases, boat owners prefer investing in a vertical winch due to less risk of slippage.
Depth of Anchor Locker
Another factor that might impact your choice of a chain gypsy winch is the depth of the anchor locker. Keep in mind that experts recommend a minimum of 16 inches gap between the top of the anchor rode and underside of the deck.
Type of Rope
The type of rope might also affect the choice of an anchor winch. Not all the winches are capable of handling all kinds of ropes.
Size and Weight of the Ground Tackle
The size and weight of the rode plus anchor is also going to affect the choice. It needs to be powerful enough to be able to handle the weight of the rode and anchor.
Manufacturer’s Reputation
Like all other machines, the quality of a product is eventually determined by the reputation of the brand. If a brand is reputed and cares about its customers, it is likely to use good quality components for its products. Before choosing a particular model or a particular brand, you should find out about what other customers are saying about them and their general reputation in the industry. Talk to other boat owners and find out whether they had a good experience using the products of the company you are considering for the anchor winch for sale.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are all kinds of anchor chain winches available in the market at different price points. As an informed buyer, you should pay attention to its orientation, type of rope it is likely to handle, reputation of the manufacturer, source of power, price, warranty and other such things to get the best value for your money.