Since I am pretty much singlehanding the boat most days, especially when the wife and kids are along it really helps.

Previous to getting one, I never thought I would need one or even desire one. After all, hoisting the anchor is one of the few bits of real exercise I get on the boat.

But one day we were out for a romping good daysail in 25+ kts of wind. Halfway through the day, we dropped the hook in the wind shadow of Bellevue for lunch. After lunch, with Three adult males pulling, it was all we could do to get that anchor hoisted. At that point, a windlass immediately jumped to the very top of the project list.

Next to the bimini, I believe it was the best improvement we have made to our boat.