Maxwell Freedom RC800- 1000W

[chef2sail]

Anyone have this model? Comments? Strengths and Weaknesses?

[MC1]

I just did a lot of research on windlasses, including this model. As you've probably noticed, you can get some really good buys on these right now, and they have a good reputation. Main down-sides for me were: 1) Not enough max. pull for the weight of my chain / anchor (max pull should be at least 3X total weight of anchor/rope/chain), 2) I wasn't thrilled about the plastic pressure arm (new ones are SS), 3) I was concerned about the enclosed housing around the chainwheel (I didn't read of any complaints about that, but it seems like it'd make it hard to unjam if necessary). I have to say though, at these prices, given the otherwise good reports for these, if it had enough max pull for me, I would have been strongly tempted.

[svHyLyte]

Maxwell builds very robust, reliable,windlasses. We have had a VC1200 aboard for 4 years and have been very pleased with it. My only reservation about the enclosed winches is the inability to use the device with more than a single rhode. The open barrel windlasses without the integral chain-pipe allow us to use both bow rollers with separate ground tackle.

FWIW...