Lofrans has introduced the Razza horizontal windlass as part of its 60th-anniversary programme, adding a more compact anchoring option for contemporary yacht decks. The new model uses marine-grade AISI 316L stainless steel and is offered with true 500W and 800W motor ratings.
The company describes Razza as the smallest horizontal windlass in its range, with a low-profile footprint intended to preserve usable deck space without reducing anchoring capability. That makes the product particularly relevant to sub-24-metre yachts where foredeck volume is often shared between anchoring hardware, lockers, seating and access routes.
A smaller footprint addresses crowded foredecks
Horizontal windlasses are often chosen where below-deck depth is limited, but the equipment still needs enough deck area for the motor, gypsy and chain path. Razza reduces the footprint to make integration easier on boats where the bow has become an important social or circulation space.
The design challenge is to save space without making chain handling or service access awkward. Lofrans is therefore positioning compactness as an installation advantage rather than as a reason to downsize the mechanical specification.
Stainless construction suits exposed installations
The windlass is built from AISI 316L stainless steel, a material widely used for deck hardware because it combines corrosion resistance with a finish that can remain visible. On a horizontal installation, more of the mechanism is exposed to spray and washdown water than with some concealed vertical arrangements.
Material choice does not remove the need for rinsing, inspection and lubrication, but it can reduce the cosmetic deterioration owners notice on highly visible foredeck equipment. It also allows Razza to fit naturally alongside stainless cleats, fairleads and other premium deck fittings.
Motor ratings are stated as true output
Lofrans offers Razza with true 500W and 800W motors, giving builders two power levels for different yacht sizes and anchoring loads. Correct sizing still depends on displacement, chain size, anchor weight and expected operating conditions rather than choosing the largest motor by default.
A properly specified windlass should be able to recover the ground tackle without becoming the primary device for pulling a yacht toward the anchor. Owners also need suitable electrical cabling, circuit protection and battery capacity because windlasses draw high current during short operating periods.
The launch coincides with six decades of Lofrans
Lofrans was founded in Monza in 1966 and has used its 60th anniversary to highlight both new products and manufacturing investment. Razza therefore arrives as part of a broader push to update the company’s anchoring range rather than as a stand-alone anniversary model.
For yacht owners, the appeal is practical: a compact, polished horizontal windlass can free deck space while retaining a familiar mechanical layout. The real test will be how easily the unit can be installed, serviced and matched to the ground tackle used on individual yachts.
