Using a Dillon dynamometer, PS testers record the maximum pulling strength of the Quick Crystal 1000 windlass.

Windlasses are the kind of on-board gear that often receive little attention until they're needed, and then they're subjected to the demanding role of freeing anchors from the varied surfaces of the ocean floor below. Electrical windlasses in particular are prone to abuse because they contain an interface of mechanical and electrical components. That's why PS values rugged windlasses, built to last.

This spring, we conducted the mother of all windlass tests, producing sufficient data for three articles, each focused on a different cost range. This article covers five windlasses under $1,000. We already tested nine in this price range (see PS March '04). In the accompanying chart, data is…