We can both supply and install the full range of Lofrans Windlasses and Capstans.

LOFRANS WINDLASSES & CAPSTANS

The choice of model and power should be made considering both length and displacement of the boat. On the following pages there are helpful selection charts to choose the correct model for your boat. This covers a lot of important parameters, which will address some of your questions to the different choices. Because it is not possible to generalise with formulas, calculations etc, as there are plenty of situations due to the type of boat, the skill of the person who is making the anchoring operation, the wind force and sea condition.

These selection charts are the result of over thirty years of experience and it must be considered as an important reference. Most of the comparisons between windlasses are done following the data declared from the manufacturer against which windlass is recommended for a specific length of boats. That could be a mistake! From Lofrans point of view, to get a correct evaluation the windlasses should be compared for sizes, weight, mechanical strength, power and other visible features, so please do not compare windlasses having different features just because both the manufacturers recommend them for the specific length of boat.

Most of our anchor windlasses are available with two different electric motors, a powerful electric motor which is faster and has more pulling power, or a smaller one with a lower current draw so it is possible to use smaller cross section electric cables.

To make windlasses, it is extremely important to select light weight, high mechanical strength and corrosion proof materials to increase durability by chemical or galvanic treatments thus improving their anti-corrosion properties. It is essential to manufacture and design all the components of the windlass avoiding the use of motors, gearbox or other components that are not designed for a marine environment. They are certainly more economic, but far less appropriate in the harsh environment that yachts and boats find themselves sailing in. For this reason, all the components of a Lofrans� windlass are designed and manufactured for a sea environment, despite the increase on our costs in comparisons with industrial components available on the market.

Hot forged components, e.g. wingnut, gypsy, gear wheel, clutches are supplied on the most of our windlasses. The hot forging process is more expensive than the traditional casting process, but provides high mechanical strength components, a more compact molecular structure and a better surface condition.