Boating is a very relaxing type of activity that a lot of individuals enjoy. When boating, you could fish and if you do not want to go fishing, you could go cruising around. Boating is an easy activity which does not take much work. Except when you are going to dock and lower your anchor but other than that, you will not have to exert too much physical effort. Though that is the case, luckily, even docking and lowering your anchor could be done easier and more efficient through the use of tools. In fact, there are a lot of tools that could make this happen. There are a lot of different types and varieties of winches found in the market which are meant for boat anchors. However, in this article, we shall be featuring hand winches.
Hand Winches – What are they?
Hand winches are winches that are operated which requires human exertion. Unlike other winches, hand winches are not automated. This means it is not as powerful as the other types of winch. It is not able to handle big loads. In fact, hand winches could only be able to handle about 2000 lbs.
In this article, since we are focusing on lowering and drawing the anchor, the winch type that would be perfect for the mentioned activities is the hand winch.
How do they work?
Hand winches are manually operated which means they have gears and crank. The user then, uses his own strength to turn the crank. As the crank turn, the gears would then turn as well which would lead to the transformation of the energy applied on the crank. It would amplify it which then could be used as a pulling force.
Best Hand Winches for Boat Anchors
TR Industrial 600 lb Trailer Winch
This winch is perfect for those who are on a tight budget. They are affordable. However, bear in mind that when we say affordable it does not mean that they are cheap. They are durable and powerful. They have the ability to drop and draw anchors efficiently and effectively.
This winch is made of steel and it comes with high quality zinc and black plating which makes it resistant to wear and tear. It has the ability to handle load up to 600 lbs. This ensures that it could hold the boat in place. It is easy to install and mount on your boat as well. It has a gear ration of 3:2:1.
The downside of this winch is that the cable or rope in not included in the package. Though that is the case, you will not have to worry as this winch is compatible with up to 36 feet of 1/4 steel cables. If you wish to use synthetic rope, you could use up to 40 feet of rope. Another draw back of this winch is that it does not have braking system Rebut other than that, this winch is a great option.
Pros:
- Weather and tear reisitant
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Ergonomic
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Rope is not included
- There is no braking system
Reese 74337e Towpower
This winch brand is considered as a reliable brand. It is perfect to be used for anchoring. It could handle weight up to 600 lbs. It is plated with zinc which makes it resistant to corrosion. It is made of carbon steel which makes this winch very durable and tough. It is easy to use and it comes with gear ratio of 3:1:1.
Just like the the first winch in this list, this winch does not include rope but though that is the case, you could use up to 40 feet of synthetic rope.
Pros:
- Tough
- Durable
- 600 lb load capacity
- Easy to install
- Ergonomic
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Does not include rope
- Does not have braking system
- A bit pricey
Scotty Anchor Lock #276
This winch is not really a hand winch. However, it is perfect for anchoring boats. It is actually a tool that could hold winch cable. It is easy to mount on your boat’s deck. It has easy lock and each anchor release system which makes it easy to use. In fact, you will be able to use this with one hand.
This one is very durable and it offers smooth performance. It is easy to install as well. The downside of it, however, is that it is a bit pricey.
Pros:
- Tough and durable
- Could be use for small boats
- Easy to install
- You could fit unlimited amount of rope
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Rope is not included
- A bit pricey
Worth American Crafts 3001.1560
This winch has the capability to handle bigger boats. It is actually a bigger version of Anchor mate. It comes with the same features of easy to use and safety tech. It has the ability to handle harsh environment of the sea. It comes with lubricating nylon rollers which makes it easy to maintain.
It is made of gauge steel and it is electrostatic-ally powder coated. It is a bigger version of Anchor mate. The only downside of this one is that rope and mounting hardware are not included.
Pros:
- Perfect for bigger boats
- Tough and durable
- Could be fitted with 150 feet of 3/16 inch nylon braided rope
- Easy and safe to use
Cons:
- Does not have a rope
- Does not have installation gear
SeaSense Locking Anchor Control
This winch is perfect for anchors of small boats. It could handle anchors that weigh up to 20 lbs. It could be used on small freshwater fishing boats and it is easy to use. It is durable and tough as well. It could accommodate up to a diameter of 7/16 inches. It is made of zinc plated steel. The only downside is that it does not include the rope and the anchor.
Pros:
- Durable
- Could be used on small fishing boats
- Easy to use
Cons:
- The rope is not included.
Conclusion
We hope that through this article, you are able to choose one hand winch that would best suit your needs and preference.
