Maxwell · Windlass

Maxwell RC8 / RC10

The RC8 and RC10 are Maxwell’s vertical rope/chain windlasses: a stainless deck unit with a chromed-bronze chainwheel, a pressure arm that guides the rope/chain splice, a cone clutch for free fall and manual recovery with the handle, and a 50 mm worm gearbox in an oil bath that hangs below deck on a spacer tube and comes off by hand. The RC8 comes as the RC8-6 (600 W, 6–7 mm chain) and RC8-8 (1000 W, 8 mm chain), the RC10 as the RC10-8 (1000 W, 8 mm) and RC10-10 (1200 W, 10 mm), each as a low-profile (gypsy only) or capstan version and with standard or extra deck clearance, for 12 V and 24 V. The stainless generation dates from 2008 (RC10) and 2009 (RC8) and is still in Maxwell’s range; the manuals and videos are published by VETUS-Maxwell. Both models share one owner’s manual (it also covers the chain-only VW10) and several small parts, but have different gearboxes, chainwheels, clutch nuts, strippers, shafts and deck gaskets, so every row below says which model it fits; the horizontal HRC10 and the RC12 share only a few parts, noted where they do.

Manuals & documents

The links go to Maxwell’s own documents — some as archived copies of pages the maker has since taken down. We host no manuals or drawings.

Wear parts & part numbers

PartOEM numberAlso fitsNote
Chain gypsyP1033101,2,3—RC8-6 (6–7 mm / 1/4 in chain). Kit: upper chainwheel half 6974, lower half 6975, stripper 7010, two cap screws SP4508 and chain-counter magnet SP4121. Maxwell’s chainwheel listing names 6 mm DIN 766, 7 mm DIN 766 and EN 818, 1/4 in G43, BBB, G70 and Campbell HT, and 6.3 mm McKinnon.
Chain gypsyP1033111,2,3—RC8-8 (8 mm / 5/16 in chain). Kit: upper half 7004, lower half 7005, stripper 7010, two cap screws SP4508, magnet SP4121. Listed for 8 mm DIN 766 and EN 818, 5/16 in G43 and BBB.
Chain gypsyP1033081,2,3—RC10-8 (8 mm / 5/16 in chain), also the VW10-8. Kit: upper half 7263C, lower half 7264C, stripper 6915, three cap screws SP4503, magnet SP4121. Same chain list as the RC8-8 wheel. Not interchangeable with the HRC10-8 wheel P103315.
Chain gypsyP1033091,2,3—RC10-10 (10 mm / 3/8 in chain), also the VW10-10. Kit: upper half 7265C, lower half 7266C, stripper 6915, three cap screws SP4503, magnet SP4121. Listed for 10 mm DIN 766 and ISO 4565/EN 818, 3/8 in G43, G70, G30, BBB and G63/G80.
MotorP10068 · P100691,2—RC8-6 only: 600 W permanent-magnet motor, P10068 for 12 V, P10069 for 24 V.
MotorP12072 · P12073 · P120741,2,4—Series-wound CIMA motors. P12072: 12 V, 1000 W, for the RC8-8 and RC10-8. P12073: 12 V, 1200 W, for the RC10-10. P12074: 24 V, for the RC8-8, RC10-8 and RC10-10 (Maxwell lists this one number for both the 24 V 1000 W and the 1200 W motor). The HRC10 uses the same three motors.
Motor brushesSP29321,2,5—RC8-6 only (600 W motors, 12 V and 24 V): the brushes are sold only as this complete end-cap assembly.
Motor brushesP100807 · P1008081,2,5—Brush kit with four brushes for the 1000/1200 W CIMA motors of the RC8-8, RC10-8 and RC10-10: P100807 for 12 V, P100808 for 24 V.
Fastening kitP124871,4—Motor bolt kit for the RC8 and RC10 (the HRC10 uses it too): two M8 × 25 bolts with spring and flat washers, plus the O-ring SP2787 (50 × 2 mm) between motor and gearbox.
Fastening kitP1000881,2,5—Locknut kit for the RC8 and RC10: locknut 4257, O-ring SP2751 (66 × 2 mm) and collar 4258. The locknut and the quick-release clip hold the gearbox on the spacer tube.
Fastening kitP1016601,2—RC8 spring, key and washer kit: three flat washers, spring washers and M8 nuts, gearbox key 6340 and quick-release clip 4547. The three studs are separate: 4281 for 65 TDC, 4359 for 165 TDC.
Fastening kitP1016681,2—RC10 spring, key and washer kit: four flat washers, spring washers and M8 nuts, key 6340 and quick-release clip 4547. The four studs are separate: 4281 for 50 TDC, 5256 for 100 TDC, 4359 for 150 TDC. The manual’s kit page prints P101688 for this kit; its parts list and Maxwell’s 2012 product information say P101668, the number given here.
Gearbox (without motor)P1009001,5,6—RC8, all versions: 44:1 worm gearbox, 50 mm. The same gearbox as on the Freedom and 1000 series.
Gearbox (without motor)P1027301,5—RC10 (and VW10): 56:1 worm gearbox, 50 mm. Not for the HRC10, which uses P12436. Maxwell supplies the gears only as a complete gearbox.
Seal setP900061,5—Gearbox seal kit for the 50 mm worm gearbox of the RC8 and RC10: the three lip seals plus sight glass and O-ring. Fit the input-shaft seal with a sleeve so the drive slot does not cut the lip.
Roller bearingP900075—Gearbox bearing kit for the 50 mm worm gearbox of the RC8 and RC10: deep-groove bearings with circlips. The sintered bronze bushes are sold singly as 3145.
Driveshaft kitP100016 · P1000171,2—RC8, 65 TDC (standard deck clearance): P100016 low profile (shaft 4379 with pressed-on lower clutch cone and quad ring SP2758), P100017 capstan.
Driveshaft kitP100047 · P1000481,2,5—RC8, 165 TDC (extra deck clearance): P100047 low profile (shaft 4422 with clutch cone and quad ring), P100048 capstan. Older Maxwell papers label the two RC8 deck versions 100 and 200 TDC, so go by the TDC number printed on the shaft.
Driveshaft kitP104700 · P1047011,2—RC10, 100 TDC (standard deck clearance): P104700 low profile (shaft 7034 with clutch cone and quad ring), P104701 capstan.
Driveshaft kitP104753 · P1047541—RC10, 150 TDC (extra deck clearance): P104753 low profile (shaft 8144), P104754 capstan (shaft 8145).
Driveshaft kitP1047031,2—RC10, 50 TDC, capstan version for thin decks. Medium confidence, conflicting numbers in Maxwell’s own documents: the 2019 manual prints P104703, Maxwell’s 2012 product information lists this kit as P102527. Confirm the number with a Maxwell dealer before you order.
Clutch nut43761,2—RC8: written 4376C in the 2012 user-manual parts list; the tab washer is 4220.
Clutch nut6914C1,2—RC10: written 6914 in the 2012 product information.
Clutch cone86131,4—Upper clutch cone of the RC10 (the HRC10 uses it too). Maxwell’s 2012 product information and manual Rev. 8 (2017) list 6090 for it; Rev. 10 (2019) lists 8613, the number given here. The lower cones (RC8 4168, RC10 6919) are pressed onto the shaft and come only with the shaft kit.
O-ringSP27581,2—Quad ring (shaft seal) 1 1/4 × 1/8 in for the RC8, RC10 and HRC10; one is also included in every shaft kit.
Pressure lever kit (rope tensioner)P1047111,5—RC8 and RC10: pressure arm 7009, spring 7037, cap screw and spring washer (the RC10 kit also has tension pin SP0545). Older Maxwell drawings show the same kit as P104733; Maxwell does not say which replaced which, so P104711 from the manual and the service manual is given.
Chain stripper70101,2—RC8 (also the RC6). Design changed in January 2011 for better handling of soft rope. Included in the chainwheel kits P103310 and P103311.
Chain stripper69151,2—RC10. Included in the chainwheel kits P103308 and P103309.
Base gasket7076 · 70401,2—Deckplate gaskets, supplied with the windlass: 7076 for the RC8, 7040 for the RC10 (the VW10 uses 7624).
Base gasket7320 · 73211,2,5—Insulating gaskets in solid plastic for aluminium or steel decks: 7320 for the RC8, 7321 for the RC10. Studs and fasteners must be insulated separately.
Installation kitP104714 · P1047151,5—RC8 deckplate kits: P104714 for 65 TDC, P104715 for 165 TDC. Each has the deckplate, spacer tube, retaining collar, three studs and deck bearing 4218; a worn deck bearing makes the windlass run slowly. Complete deckplate assemblies with pressure arm and locknut: P104731 (65 TDC) and P104732 (165 TDC).
Installation kitP104721 · P1047221,2—RC10 deckplate kits: P104721 for 50 TDC, P104722 for 100 TDC. Each has the deckplate, spacer tube, retaining collar, four studs and deck bearing 4218. A complete deckplate assembly with pressure arm and locknut is P104730.
Installation kitP1047551—RC10 deckplate kit for 150 TDC (extra deck clearance). Medium confidence, one source with conflicting numbers: the manual’s kit page prints P104755, the same manual’s parts table prints P104735, a number Maxwell also uses for the RC6 bearing kit. Confirm with a Maxwell dealer before you order.
Rope drumP100018 · P1000351,5—RC8 capstan conversion kits: P100018 for 65 TDC, P100035 for 165 TDC. They turn a low-profile RC8 into the capstan version: capstan shaft, capstan drum 4170, key 3462, washer and clip.
Rope drumP1047021,2—RC10 capstan conversion kit for 100 TDC: capstan shaft 7073, capstan drum 7074, key, washer and clip.
Emergency handleP1038641,7,5—Short (8 in) bi-square clutch handle and emergency crank for the RC8 and RC10; the HRC10 and RC12 use the same handle. The long handle is P103865 (2014 accessory guide); the bi-square extension 7038 and the bi-square-to-1/2 in drive adaptor 7369 help in tight spots.
Control box / solenoidSP5102 · SP51038,7—Reversing (dual-direction) solenoid for the permanent-magnet motor of the RC8-6: SP5102 for 12 V, SP5103 for 24 V (2019 catalogue). Maxwell’s 2014 accessory guide lists P100715 (12 V) and P11121 (24 V) for the RC8-6; Maxwell does not say that one pair replaces the other.
Control box / solenoidSP5104 · SP51058,7—Reversing (dual-direction) solenoid for the series-wound motors of the RC8-8, RC10-8 and RC10-10: SP5104 for 12 V, SP5105 for 24 V (2019 catalogue); the HRC10 and RC12 use the same ones. Maxwell’s 2014 accessory guide lists P19045 (12 V) and P19046 (24 V) for the same job; Maxwell does not say that one pair replaces the other.
Circuit breakerP100789 · P100790 · P1007918,7,1—P100789 (40 A): 24 V RC8-6. P100790 (80 A): 12 V RC8-6 and 24 V RC8-8, RC10-8, RC10-10. P100791 (135 A): 12 V RC8-8, RC10-8, RC10-10. The RC12 uses the 80 A and 135 A breakers too.
Foot switchP190068,7—Covered foot switch, black, for all RC8 and RC10 models. Same family: P19007 covered white, P19001 chrome bezel, P19008 plastic bezel, P100735 stainless covered; compact 5 A switches (switching through the solenoid) P104809 white, P104810 black.
Up/down switchP1029388,7—Up/down remote panel with toggle switch, for all RC8 and RC10 models. The push-button version is P102983; the two-button wired roving control is P102933.
Remote controlP1055468—AA810 wireless remote with rode counter; the 2019 selection guide lists it for all RC8 and RC10 models. The panel-mount counter and windlass control AA870 is P105545.
Gearbox top kitP1016245—RC8 and RC10 (also the Freedom, 1000 and 1500 series): replaces a gearbox top whose output-shaft seal housing has corroded; includes longer cap screws, nuts and washers for older gearboxes.
Deck bearing42181,2—RC8 and RC10 (also in the deckplate kits): a worn deck bearing makes the windlass run slowly.

Numbers checked against the sources below on 13 October 2026. Always confirm against your serial number and exact type before ordering.

Service intervals

TaskInterval
Fresh-water washAfter every use: check that the clutch is adjusted correctly, wash the topworks with fresh water, check the rope for wear and rinse it1
Strip, clean & greaseEvery 3 months: remove the clutch nut and chainwheel, clean and re-grease the clutch faces, grease the clutch-nut thread, check the fasteners and reassemble1
Oil level checkEvery 3 months: check the gearbox oil level in the sight glass; service the gearbox if it is low1
GasketsEvery 3 months: separate the gearbox from the spacer tube, clean salt and debris from the seal and shaft area, inspect the seals and replace them if needed, re-grease the mating faces; clean the above-deck parts, check all fasteners and spray corrosion inhibitor on the under-deck parts1
Motor brushesEvery year: have the motor serviced by a qualified technician (brushes); remove rust from the casing and repaint it1
Full serviceEvery 3 years: have the gearbox serviced by an authorised Maxwell service agent1

From the maintenance chapter of Maxwell’s owner’s manual P103153 Rev. 10 (2019), which covers the RC8, RC10 and VW10. Maxwell gives calendar intervals, not operating hours, and the warranty lapses if the periodic maintenance is not done.

Specifications

TypeVertical rope/chain windlass: AISI 316 stainless deck unit and pressure arm, chromed-bronze Wave Design chainwheel, cone clutch with manual free fall and manual recovery; 50 mm worm gearbox in an oil bath and DC motor below deck on a spacer tube. Low-profile (gypsy only) or capstan (rope drum) version9
MotorRC8-6: 600 W (permanent-magnet motor); RC8-8 and RC10-8: 1000 W; RC10-10: 1200 W (series-wound motors)1
Voltage12 V or 24 V DC per the owner’s manual. Maxwell’s current product pages also list 48 V for the RC8-8 and the RC10; the manual covers 12 V and 24 V only1,9,10
Max pull / working loadMaximum pull: RC8-6 350 kg (770 lb), RC8-8 600 kg (1320 lb), RC10-8 700 kg (1540 lb), RC10-10 850 kg (1870 lb). Static hold: RC8 1200 kg (2640 lb), RC10 1500 kg (3300 lb). Maxwell’s product pages call the first four figures maximum pull; the owner’s manual prints the same numbers as working load1,9,10
Chain speedChain: RC8-6 24–29 m/min, RC8-8 28–32 m/min, RC10 20–24 m/min, depending on load. Rope: RC8-6 24 m/min, RC8-8 28 m/min, RC10 20 m/min1
Chain sizeRC8-6: 6–7 mm / 1/4 in; RC8-8 and RC10-8: 8 mm / 5/16 in; RC10-10: 10 mm / 3/8 in. Each chainwheel takes several chain standards (DIN 766, ISO 4565/EN 818, G4/G43, BBB, G70): see the chainwheel rows below. Maxwell does not guarantee chain outside the listed standards1,3
Rope sizeNylon, 8-plait recommended, 3-strand also accepted: RC8-6 12 mm (1/2 in); RC8-8 14–16 mm (9/16–5/8 in; manual Rev. 10 says 14 mm); RC10-8 14–16 mm; RC10-10 16 mm (5/8 in)1
WeightNet weight, low profile / capstan: RC8-6 12.5 / 13.5 kg; RC8-8 16.5 / 17.5 kg; RC10-8 19 / 21 kg; RC10-10 20 / 22 kg1
Breaker / fuse12 V: RC8-6 80 A, RC8-8 / RC10-8 / RC10-10 135 A. 24 V: RC8-6 40 A, the others 80 A. Mount it within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the battery, dry and accessible, and switch it off whenever the windlass is not in use1
Power cable sizeTotal run battery–windlass–battery, below 10 % voltage drop, 90 °C copper, in steps by cable length (shortest run first; the length bands are in the manual). 12 V: RC8-6 16/25/35 mm² for 0–10/10–15/15–20 m; RC8-8 25/35/50/50 mm² up to 25 m; RC10-8 25/35/50/50/70 mm² up to 32 m; RC10-10 25/35/50/70/70 mm². 24 V: RC8-6 6/6/10 mm²; RC8-8 10/10/10/16 mm²; RC10-8 10/10/10/16/25 mm²; RC10-10 10/10/16/16/25 mm²1
VersionsLow profile (gypsy only) or capstan, each with a deck-clearance version (deck thickness including packing): RC8 65 mm standard (65 TDC) or 165 mm (165 TDC); RC10 100 mm standard (100 TDC), also 50 mm and 150 mm. The TDC number is printed on the shaft, stud and deckplate kits1
MountingDeck cut-out. RC8 (template 7185): one Ø100 mm hole for the spacer tube, one Ø72 mm hole for the rode 98 mm off-centre, three Ø10 mm stud holes. RC10 (template 7522): Ø100 mm and Ø80 mm holes 106 mm apart, four Ø10 mm stud holes on a 124 mm PCD, optional Ø12.7 mm hole for a chain-counter sensor. Allow at least 200 mm of free fall into the locker1
GearboxMaxwell 50 mm worm gearbox in an oil bath: RC8 P100900 (44:1), RC10 P102730 (56:1); removable by hand from the spacer tube (quick-release clip and key)5
Gear oil capacity70–80 ml (Maxwell’s oil table: 75 ml for both P100900 and P102730); fill to 1/2–3/4 of the sight glass, just covering the wormwheel teeth1,6
Gear oil gradeSAE 90–110, API GL-4 or lower (low sulphur); factory fill is Castrol Alpha SP320; avoid GL-51
LubricationMain shaft, bearing and clutch surfaces: lithium-complex grease NLGI 1–3 (wheel-bearing grease); quad-ring seal with silicone O-ring grease; non-copper anti-seize on key, keyway and threads5
ControlDual-direction solenoid (control box) included with every RC8 and RC10; the up/down switch, foot switches and breaker are ordered separately. Foot switch about 500 mm from the windlass; solenoid in a dry place near the windlass, not in the locker1
ModelsRC8-6 (600 W, boats up to about 9 m), RC8-8 and RC10-8 (1000 W, up to 12 m), RC10-10 (1200 W, up to 14 m): boat sizes per motor from the UK distributor Jimmy Green; Maxwell itself rates the RC10 for boats of 9–14 m (30–48 ft)11,12,10
DimensionsDeck unit length A: RC8 210 mm, RC10 230 mm; height above deck B1: RC8 83 mm, RC10 89 mm (with capstan B2: 146 / 168 mm); width C: RC8 156 mm, RC10 170 mm; depth below deck F: RC8-6 383 mm, RC8-8 410 mm, RC10 424 mm1
Years builtRC10 from October 2008 (with a chrome-bronze deckplate until September 2009; the stainless deckplate and pressure arm cannot be retrofitted), RC8 from March 2009; both are still in Maxwell’s range. Parts for the earlier bronze deckplate are not listed here2
Warranty36 months for recreational use, 12 months for professional use; void if the periodic maintenance is not done; wear parts excluded1

Good to know

  • Find the build date before you order parts: RC8 and RC10 made since 2010 carry a small adhesive serial label on the deckplate with three letters and four digits. The second letter is the year (R = 2010, S = 2011 and so on), the third the two-month period; BSD0313, for example, is an RC10-8 built in July/August 2011.5
  • Tighten the clutch nut only as far as needed to lift the anchor, leaving a little slip when the anchor docks; an over-tight clutch can damage the motor at the bow roller. At anchor and under way take the load on a chain stopper or snubber, never on the windlass.1
  • The gearbox holds only about 75 ml. Use SAE 90–110 gear oil of API GL-4 or lower and avoid GL-5: its sulphur additives attack the bronze wormwheel. Maxwell says an unserviced 50 mm worm gearbox tends to fail after about five years, and replacement gears are sold only as a complete gearbox, so the seal kit P90006, bearing kit P90007 and gearbox top kit P101624 are the affordable repairs.5
  • Keep the drain slots in the gearbox clear: salt that collects around the output seal ruins it. Put only a thin film of grease on the spacer-tube/gearbox face, because too much blocks the drains, and use non-copper anti-seize on key and keyway.5
  • When you connect the battery cables, hold the lower nut on each motor terminal while you tighten the upper one. Over-tightened or twisted terminal studs shear off or lose their connection to the field winding; Maxwell does not stock the terminals, and the repair is a job for an auto electrician.5
  • Replacing an old Maxwell Freedom with an RC8: the bolt pattern is the same, but the chain-pipe hole may need enlarging, and if the Freedom had a ‘performance plate’, Maxwell’s stainless cover plate 7307 hides its holes. On the RC8 the lower clutch cone is pressed onto the shaft, so a worn cone means a new shaft kit.2

Videos & how-tos

Links to YouTube, nothing embedded. The maker’s own channel comes first; the rest are channels we found clear and correct for this model.

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Sources

  1. vetus.sharefile.com/d-s13a4e7af859d4885bcd47ad112120220
  2. maxwellmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RC6-RC8-RC10-Product-information-R2.pdf
  3. jimmygreen.com/app/uploads/2018/06/Maxwell-Chain-wheels.xls
  4. vetus.sharefile.com/d-sdc94082299184f4989da6ab0cda92773
  5. maxwellmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Service-Agent-Reference-Manual-V5.pdf
  6. maxwellmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Oil-quantities-June-2012.pdf
  7. web.archive.org/web/20160216214657/http://maxwellmarine.com/PDF/PowerSail/electrical_acce…
  8. web.archive.org/web/20191220204314/http://maxwellmarine.com/PDF/Catalogue/Maxwell_EN_web_…
  9. maxwellmarine.com/product/rc8/
  10. maxwellmarine.com/product/rc10/
  11. jimmygreen.com/product/maxwell-rc8-vertical-windlass/
  12. jimmygreen.com/product/maxwell-rc10-vertical-windlass/

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