Our nine-windlass test group was comprised of four vertical-axis machines and five horizontals. Top four, left to right: the Quick Genius, Muir 600, Lewmar Horizon 600GD, and Lewmar Horizon 600. Middle three: Lofrans Dorado, Lewmar Sprint 600, and Lofrans Marlin. Bottom two: the Maxwell Freedom 500 and and Lewmar Sprint 400.

Around here, one test often leads to another. Guess what came to mind as we broke our backs all day in a recent anchor test (see PS, December '03)? That's right——power windlasses.

Many, if not most, heavy-displacement cruising sailboats carry windlasses on the foredeck, but the decision whether to mount one on a smaller, lighter boat has to be based on several factors, including the size and type of anchor and rode used (a 35-lb. CQR on an all-chain rode is a bit of a hardship to hoist bare-handed); the depth of the water and type of bottom in your anchoring grounds; how much electrical current you can spare; where to…