9 Best Electric Boat Anchor Winches

Published on: February 23, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Silent and smooth anchoring is the prerequisite for successful fishing. An electrical anchor winch makes sure that the anchoring is smooth and undisturbed for the fish. Besides, it saves time to do the task manually and lets you pay attention and chase the school of fish you just got hold of. 

Not only just fishing boats, hands-free anchoring is a must-have for recreational boats also. Nowadays, people even don’t bother getting up and reaching the anchor winch to press a button. Instead, there are several models available that let you operate it with a corded or cordless remote. 

But, not every anchor winch model is compatible with every boat. For example, the winch is preferable for muddy freshwater lake bottom, and a mushroom anchor is not suitable for saltwater use. Some factors need to be checked before buying an anchor winch. 

In this article, we have covered those factors and also summarized some top-notch electric boat anchor winches of different capacities and features. It should help anyone to reach the decision quicker.

View Top 9 Electric Boat Anchor Winches, Below

1. MinnKota Deckhand 40 High Capacity Electric Anchor Winch

• Anchor Capacity: recommended for 20 to 40 pounds;
• 100 feet of nylon rope, pre-spooled.

This one is our top pick and the highest capacity electric winch with up to 40 pounds anchor pulling capacity. The winch is equipped with nylon rope, that is tested for 800-pound resistance. Looking for a trustworthy anchor winch for your large fishing boat or yacht? Then this is it. This electric anchor winches better than a normal anchor chain.

The unit is so easy to install that you won’t need a hand to do it. Just make 4 holes where you want to put it, and follow the instructions. You will need a 12v battery and purchase it separately.

This Minn Kota anchor winch is compatible with any Minn Kota battery, remote, and any other accessory you want to use with it. This is an advantage that you won’t be confused about while ordering one. Use this in your boat and every time you want to anchor, lift the 40 lbs anchor without lifting a finger. If you are a boat owner you can use this winch. You can use it on the pontoon boat. However, the main purpose of using an electric anchor winch is to make dropping and lifting anchors without any disturbance and to make the boat stable. This model of electrical anchor winch has proven to do the job better than expected. So, for the most promising anchoring, this one always wins. 

Advantage 

• Simple installation;
• High capacity;
• Compatible with Minnkota accessories;
• Two-three-year warranty is included with this anchor winch;
• The high-quality material used.

Drawback

• Expensive, and not suitable for budget-friendly users.

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2. Anchor Ledge-Electric Anchor Winch for Pontoon

• 17.75″ adjustable width;
• For Pontoon use only.

Our top pick may seem hectic to use with a pontoon. Pontoon already lacks the anchor winch’s flooring space, so Anchor Ledge has made this electric anchor only to use with pontoons. To save up space and your expensive boat, you don’t need to drill a hole in the base. Just mount this winch on the skirting of the boat, and you are all set!

Now, let’s pay attention to their capacity. There is no clear identification of the weight capacity for anchors. But users have claimed to use anchors weights 30 to 45 lbs without any jamming. So, you can easily go for 20 to 40 lb anchors to use with this. 

This is a maintenance-free unit. Sailing pontoons in muddy-bottom lakes and rivers will not be as messy as used to be if you set this up in your vessel. This one is available at an affordable price. Setting up will be easier if you go for online tutorials; don’t depend on the manual because it is incomplete. 

Advantage 

• High capacity suitable for heavy-duty;
• Space-saving smart design;
• Does not need to make holes to install;
• Maintenance-free ledge.

Drawback

• Incomplete manual, many users claim this factor.

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3. Lewmar CRW 400 Saltwater Captive Reel Windlass

• Includes 115′ of 1/4″ line reel;
• Anchor weight capacity:40 lbs, maximum boat length 26 ft.

An anchor winch made for freshwater is not suitable to use in a saltwater environment. The harshness of the salt corrodes the gears quickly. For anchoring large boats in saltwater safely, this Lewmar captive reel windlass is the best option. It includes a total of 115 ft rope and can carry up to 40 lbs of the anchor. 

If the boat is under 25 ft, this is the one that can serve your purpose. As the rope length is large, so is the speed. It releases the rope at a speed of 82 ft per minute; no need to keep waiting to reach the anchor to the bottom to turn this off.

Because, with the auto stop feature, it shuts down automatically upon reaching the bottom. Take this for your boat and keep fishing in the sea without worrying about the saltwater eating up your electric anchor winch. 

Advantage 

• Suitable for saltwater.
• Auto-stop when the anchor hits bottom
• High weight lifting capacity.

Drawback

• Made of flimsy material,
• Poor customer service;
• High price anchor winches than other models in the market.

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4. Trac Outdoors Saltwater and Freshwater Fisherman 25-G3 Anchor Winch

• Includes 100 ft rope, roller davit, 17 ft anchor chain, marine-grade wire for battery, circuit breaker, up/down switch and instructions, and so on. 
• Takes 20-25 lbs anchor, for 20 ft boats.

There are separate models available by Trac Outdoors in the same configuration for saltwater and freshwater use. Both are highly effective in pulling on 25 lb anchors from 100 ft depth. Besides, in the package, you will get all the accessories you need to set up the device. 

Unlike other cheap anchor winches, this one has an all-metal construction in plastic housing. There is an anti-reverse feature on the reel to eliminate the risk of free-spooling. In my opinion, this is a great relief from dealing with a messed-up reel.

In the reel, a 0.20-inch braided anchor rope is wrapped up. This machine will unspool the reel at the speed of 70 ft/min and pull up the anchor at 65 ft/min speed. For years of stable use, and successful fishing, this electric anchor winch is a smart choice. 

Advantage 

• No free spooling;
• Separate models for saltwater and freshwater;
• Powerful anchor winch ;
• Durable construction.

Drawback

• No noticeable negative side is found yet.

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5. Trac Outdoors Deckboat 40 AutoDeploy-G3 Anchor Winch for Boat

• 40 lb of anchor capacity;
• Includes wireless remote and a 100-feet of pre-wound anchor rope.

Control the electric anchor winch from anywhere on your boat. The wireless remote control makes it possible to turn on, off, and lock the winch from your comfort zone. Another advancement of this unit is its auto-deploy feature. Meaning, it shuts off as the anchor reaches the bed and locks the position of your boat. Whether it is a recreational boat or just a fishing one, this winch will make anchoring a breeze. 

Try to look for the specification of this anchor winch before buying. It only accepts anchors up to 20 pounds and suits any boat up to 20 ft tall. So, the limited capacity is its only limitation for not being our top favorite anchor winch in this list. For affordable and comfortable anchoring, look nowhere else other than Trac outdoor if your boat is compatible with the requirements. 

Advantage 

• Auto deploy functionality;
• Affordable price boat tools;
• One-year warranty included;
• Easy, hands-free operation.

Drawback

• Nobody claims the side effects of this tool.

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6. Trac Outdoors AnchorZone 20 Winch for Small Boats

• Anchors capacity up to 20 lb.
• For freshwater use only.

The operation and installation are quite basic for this unit. It only measures 7.5x 7.5 inches, so it takes only a few inches from your deck. A 100 ft of high breakpoint(500 lbs break strength) rope is attached to the unit. Only a 12v battery is required to run this winch, and there is no secondary option to operate it. It can easily hold your boat in the selected anchor zone. 

For example, there is no remote or wireless function to run this anchor winch remotely. The on/off switch attached to it is the only way. 

There is no need for a remote or secondary switch or a heavy anchor for sailing small boats in freshwater. Only a 20 lbs anchor is enough to anchor the boat in still water. This electrical anchor winch from Trac Outdoors is a budget-friendly and high-quality option to fulfill these mild requirements. My tip is to use a rope guide with it; it helps run the rope nicely. 

Advantage 

• Small dimension saves space;
• Strong rope good for heavy-duty;
• Lightweight very easy to manage;
• Easy to install with easy process.

Drawback

• No remote comes with the device;
• No warranty is given by manufacturers.`

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7. Minnkota Deckhand Anchor Winch with Davit

• Include davit;
• 60 ft of nylon rope, 800-lb tested.

Using a davit makes anchoring more secure and problem-free. But most of the people, who are not fishermen by profession, ignore it as they sail their boats less often. However, you don’t have to purchase one, rather, this electric winch comes with one that will fit most anchor systems available right now. 

As I mentioned before, this is not preferred by many, so I only recommend this Minn Kota anchor winch for light use. Because it is made mostly of plastic material. It may chip off or break internally sooner than expected. 

The reason it is one of our favorites is its anti-drug system. Most of the Minnkota anchor winches are equipped with this feature. It simply stops slowly as it senses the anchor runs into an obstacle such as the lake bottom or something else. It helps to keep the rope detangled and clean and also makes pulling up the anchor much easier. This is a pricey model for a winch, as it adds up the debit price. 

Advantage 

• Included davit suits most anchor models;
• High anchor capacity; 
• Affordable price for all kinds of users;
• Both indoor and outdoor use;
• The auto turns off upon reaching the bottom.

Drawback

• It may not last long.

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8. MinnKota Deckhand Pontoon Anchor Winch

• Suitable anchor: 20 to 40 lbs;
• 25′ corded remote and davit included.

Alongside saltwater and freshwater anchor winch for boats, Minnkota also has brought this amazing electric anchor winch for pontoons. If you have the habit of using different anchos, you will love the quick anchor changing this unit’s feasibility. Thanks to the universal davit that not only accepts just about any anchor but also stows it horizontally. 

You can install this winch on the deck or even better, in a remote position to save some space. It is hectic to install, though, as the provided manual is not so useful. Get help from online tutorials to install it. 

For remote operation, this unit will provide you with a 25 ft-long corded remote. The rope you will get here is 100 ft long and has a resistance of up to 800 pounds. So, for a durable electric anchor winch for your pontoon, Minnkota is the most trustworthy one. 

Advantage 

• East to install; 
• Anti-drag system;
• Fast anchor change;
• Special davit for horizontal anchor stowing.

Drawback

• Poor instruction;
• Not affordable for all users because it’s expensive.

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Features to Look for Before Select One

Weight Capacity

Of course, the anchor weight is the main factor before going for an electric winch. Thankfully, the weight capacity is noted in the product details of the winch. There is the lowest and highest range of weight capacity for each model. You should always check the weight before attaching an anchor to it. It especially applies to those who use multiple anchors to the same electric winch. 

Motor

The last thing you want is a jammed anchor in the middle of the fishing session. The matter of manual labor to pull on the anchor from the bottom is also a concerning headache. If the motor is powerful, then there is less possibility of such incidents. For long-lasting use and heavy anchors, a powerful motor is compulsory for the anchor winch. 

Power Consumption

As the electric winch is running off-grid and powered by a 12V DC battery, then its power consumption is something one should take into account. Low power consumption is preferable. 

Read more: Off-Road Winches Reviewed and Rated

Noise 

It is the topmost priority for choosing an electrical winch for fishing boats. Noise kills the fishing game as it scares off the fish as the anchor is released or pulled and makes loud noises. If it is unbearable in the air, then it is even louder in the water. So, the less silent the anchor winch is, the better.

Strength of the Rope

In deep water use, ropes under 60 ft are not safe to use and they can break off and leave the anchor in the water. On the other hand, there is no point dragging around an unusually heavy and high-strength anchor winch. Know your purpose for using an anchor winch; it will help to direct you toward the right kind of rope you need. 

Quick Solutions by Editor

Is it Difficult to Fit an Electric Anchor Winch?

It’s especially scary to assume you’re introduced to a new, anchor winch. Whatever it is, it is very clear to touch with perseverance and fit with the right devices. Additionally, most manufacturers will provide specific installation instructions. Some will be with illustrations to help you get along.

What is the Difference Between an Electric and a Pressure-Powered Winch?

The primary distinction between the two is the power source. Speed control additionally contrasts. They are additionally divergent as far as the anchor limit. An electric boat anchor winch is restricted to little boats. For enormous-scope applications, a water-powered winch is a superior choice.

How would Troubleshoot an Electric Boat Anchor Winch?

In case the engine of the anchor winch does not start, make sure that the electrical switch is locked. If that doesn’t work, open the cover and see the parts guarantee of suitable wiring. Really look at the battery. Clean the terminal and dispose of any corrosion. They replaced the assumption that they had been severely damaged. The remote can also be broken.

In the event that the boat’s anchor winch is making a strange and annoying noise, fix the bolts. Strange sounds can be the free part. Cleaning the winch is one more simple answer to cause it to work discreetly.

Would You be Able to Make a DIY Boat Anchor Winch?

Indeed, it is able to be done to make a hand-hand boat anchor winch. Be that as it may, I don’t suggest doing as such. It requires some investment, exertion, and materials. Interestingly, even on a tight spending plan, there are huge loads of first-rate choices, so there’s no compelling reason to make it a DIY task.

What Size Anchor Do I Need for a 22-foot Boat?

 If you are the owner of a  boat 22′ or less. You have several options to choose from. You can pick a 7 lb, 10 lb, or 14 lb anchor for boats 22′ or less. Read more: 6 Best 3 Oz. Grease Gun

Can I Anchor My Boat Anywhere?

No, you can not do this. Because most of the cities have restrictions. You can anchor your boat when you have permission.  

Bottom Line

All the electric anchor winches may not last the same. It depends on the pattern of use and the environment. Overall dications we recommended you MinnKota Deckhand 40. It’s idle for all users.

 However, always check the anchor winch condition before setting the sail. Besides, use the proper kind of anchor and follow the instructions for using and maintaining it. Hope it will help to make the anchor winch. 

All the anchor winches are covered by the warranty. It is important to purchase these from the direct seller, not from any vendor. Purchasing from a vendor may violate the warranty and you will face trouble if anything goes wrong and you need a replacement part or the entire unit.

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