What is an anchor winch?

The boat remains stationary due to the intervention of an anchor.
The boat remains stationary due to the intervention of an anchor.

If you are going to hear the term “anchor winch” anywhere in the world, you will hear the term anchor winch in Melbourne due to the city’s love affair with all things maritime. The rich own boats which they take into the bay, while the rest of us go for walks around the beach delighting in boat watching. Many of us even are secretly saving for a boat of our own. Yet, unless you are a boating enthusiast, you are unlikely to know much about the mechanics of the boat. The anchor winch, also known as an anchor windlass, is used to raise or lower an anchor. In cartoons, it is common for an anchor to simply be thrown overboard for its braking effect. In practice, you need something much more reliable than a human’s efforts, particularly when it comes to raising the anchor. Believe it or not, the anchor winch is actually powered by a motor. This has replaced manual movement of the winch, which was the only option in bygone days. In a pinch, you can still power your anchor winch using a person, although this is only recommended in emergencies.

As a boat owner, you will want to ensure that your anchor winch is in good working condition. You can imagine how inconvenient it would be if your anchor winch failed in the middle of a joyride. Anchor winch problems are not just frustrating, they can also be dangerous. If you suspect that there is an issue with your anchor winch, you will want to arrange repairs at the earliest convenience. As usually the issue is with the motor, it is most appropriate to get a mechanic to look at it. If you are using your boat for travel, it is best if you get your anchor winch looked at by a boat mechanic in Melbourne.