Windlasses: Maxwell, Lewmar Look Good; Lofrans Project 1500 Slips

Among this clutch of mid-size vertical units, we like the Lofrans Project 1000, and Maxwell’s Freedom 800 performs solidly at the right price. Lewmar’s V3 scores well among higher-priced alternatives.

Windlasses Under $1,000 — Maxwell Victorious Again

Maxwell's new HRC 8 horizontal windlass speeds past the competition and garners our top pick. Quick's Crystal 1000 vertical is the choice when power is more important than speed. Powerwinch lags behind.

Windlasses Under $1,000 — Maxwell Victorious Again

Maxwell's new HRC 8 horizontal windlass speeds past the competition and garners our top pick. Quick's Crystal 1000 vertical is the choice when power is more important than speed. Powerwinch lags behind.

Bungy

Simple, clever, convenient, but not cheap, this little device can take the load off your rode.

Windlass Test

Maxwell’s Freedom 500 speeds past all competitors in an under-$1,000 powerwinch pull-off. The Lewmar Horizon 600 is the top horizontal windlass.

PS Advisor: 02/01/04

Anchoring Hand SignalsYour recent article on anchoring prompted a discussion among friends. Is there an agreed-upon set of hand signals for anchoring, between...

Kellets On the Rode

The day after our anchor tests this year we took a couple of commercially made anchor rode sentinels (also called kellets) out into the...

Anchor Tests 2003: Soft Sand Over Hard Sand

In tough testing conditions, and considered by weight, the aluminum Fortress and galvanized West Marine Performance2 do well, along with the Spade Model 80 and the Bulwagga.

A Tale of Two Anchors

We check out the Digger Anchor and Kingston QuickSet in the latest series of anchor tests.

Mounting the ‘Odd’ Bulwagga Anchor

In several of the most recent reports on anchor testing, Practical Sailor has commented favorably on the setting ability and holding power of the...

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Practical Sailor Logbook – September 2026

In September we tour the Hans Christian 48T — the offshore cruiser many sailors call the holy grail — walk the custom Antigua 60...

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If you’re searching for a mid-30-foot sailboat, affordable cruising sailboat, liveaboard sailboat, first sailboat, or a capable used sailboat for coastal cruising, the Catalina...

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