6 Best Anchor Chain Counters for Precise Depth That Challenge Convention

You’re nosing into a tight anchorage as the sun dips low, wind picking up. You know you need exactly 150 feet of chain out to hold firm without swinging into your neighbor. Fiddling with faded, muddy chain markers while managing the helm and watching for hazards is a recipe for stress, or worse, a dragging anchor in the middle of the night. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about control, precision, and the peace of mind that lets you sleep soundly.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Rethinking Your Rode: Beyond Manual Counting

Let’s be honest, those colorful zip ties or dabs of paint on your anchor chain are a classic solution, but they have serious limitations. They get scraped off, they’re impossible to see at night, and counting them in a blow is a frantic, error-prone task. You’re guessing at your scope, not knowing it.

An electronic chain counter changes the entire dynamic of anchoring. It transforms a high-stress guessing game into a precise, repeatable process. Instead of shouting instructions from the bow or running back and forth, you have an exact digital readout right at your helm. This isn’t a luxury gadget; it’s a fundamental upgrade to one of your boat’s most critical safety systems.

The real value emerges in challenging conditions. When you need to re-anchor quickly or pay out more chain in a sudden squall, you can do it with confidence and speed. Knowing your exact scope allows you to calculate your swing circle accurately, sleep better in a crowded cove, and trust that your anchor has the best possible chance to hold.

Quick Spa CHC 1203: The Feature-Rich Standard

If there’s a "do-it-all" standard in the chain counter world, the Quick CHC 1203 is a top contender. It’s more than just a counter; it’s a mini command center for your windlass. The high-resolution color screen is clear, bright, and packed with useful information.

What sets it apart are the thoughtful, practical features. You get a readout of chain speed, a measurement of the length of chain lowered, and even a display for your supply voltage at the windlass. This is huge—it lets you monitor your battery health under load, right from the helm, preventing a weak battery from failing you at a critical moment. It also includes an auto-stow feature that automatically retrieves the anchor until it’s just shy of the bow roller, preventing damage.

The CHC 1203 is built on a flexible CAN bus system, making it widely compatible with various windlasses and easy to integrate into modern boat systems. For the skipper who wants comprehensive data, advanced features, and a modern interface, this unit delivers a ton of functionality in a compact package. It’s the choice for those who believe more information leads to better decisions.

Lewmar AA560: Unmatched Display Readability

The single biggest frustration with many marine electronics is trying to read them in direct sunlight. The Lewmar AA560 (and its Maxwell-branded twin) tackles this problem head-on. Its defining feature is a large, high-contrast, backlit LCD screen that’s exceptionally easy to read in any light condition.

Think about it: you’re anchoring mid-day, the sun is blasting your helm station, and you’re wearing polarized sunglasses. With many displays, you’d be squinting and shielding the screen with your hand. The AA560’s transflective display technology actually uses the bright sun to become more readable, not less. At night, the adjustable red backlighting preserves your night vision.

Beyond the brilliant display, it offers all the essential functions you need. It has a docking alarm that warns you as the anchor approaches the boat and a one-touch auto-stow function for effortless retrieval. If your primary concern is at-a-glance readability without fuss, the AA560 is arguably the best in its class. It prioritizes the most crucial function—clearly telling you how much chain is out—and executes it perfectly.

Maxwell AutoAnchor 560: Built for Durability

While functionally identical to the Lewmar unit, the Maxwell AutoAnchor 560 deserves its own mention for the brand’s reputation for absolute toughness. Maxwell windlasses are legendary for their robust, overbuilt construction, and their electronics follow the same philosophy. This isn’t a delicate piece of tech; it’s a tool built for the marine environment.

The unit is fully sealed and weatherproofed to an IP67 rating, meaning it can handle spray, rain, and green water over the bow without flinching. The console buttons are tactile and designed to be used with wet or cold hands. This focus on durability is critical for offshore cruisers or anyone boating in harsh climates where gear failure is not an option.

Choosing the Maxwell is a vote for long-term reliability. When you’re in a remote location and miles from a technician, you want equipment that is field-proven and ridiculously tough. It’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing your anchor control system was designed by people who understand that the sea is an unforgiving place.

Lofrans Thetis 1002: Integrated Remote Control

The Lofrans Thetis 1002 challenges the idea that a chain counter has to be a fixed-mount unit at the helm. This clever device combines a full-function chain counter with a wired handheld remote control. This completely changes how you can manage the anchoring process, especially if you are short-handed.

With the Thetis, you are no longer chained to the helm. You can take the remote to the bow, giving you a direct line of sight to the anchor, chain, and bow roller. You can watch the anchor break free, see exactly how the chain is flaking into the locker, and spot any potential snags—all while having precise control and a digital readout in the palm of your hand.

This is a game-changer for single-handers. No more running back and forth between the helm and the bow. It’s also incredibly useful for Med-mooring, where precise control from different vantage points is essential. The Lofrans Thetis prioritizes operational flexibility, putting the information and control exactly where you need it, when you need it.

Goiot Magic Rode Counter: Elegant Simplicity

In a world of feature-creep, the Goiot Magic Rode Counter is a breath of fresh air. It does one thing, and it does it exceptionally well: it counts your chain. There are no complex menus, no secondary functions, and no clutter. Its design is clean, minimalist, and quintessentially French.

The Magic Rode Counter is for the skipper who values simplicity and reliability over a long list of bells and whistles. The display is straightforward, showing only the length of rode deployed. Installation is simple, and operation is intuitive. It’s the perfect solution for a smaller vessel or for an owner who believes that the best tools are often the simplest ones.

Don’t mistake simplicity for a lack of quality. The Goiot unit is well-built and dependable. It’s a testament to the design philosophy that you don’t need to overcomplicate things. If you just want to know how much chain is out, without any fuss, this is your answer.

Anchor-Corder: The Smart, Data-Logging Choice

The Anchor-Corder isn’t just a chain counter; it’s an anchoring data logger. This is the unconventional choice that completely reframes the purpose of the device. It doesn’t just tell you what’s happening now—it remembers everything you’ve ever done.

Every time you anchor, the Anchor-Corder automatically records a complete data set:

• Date and Time
• GPS Position
• Water Depth
• Length of Rode Deployed
• Calculated Scope

This creates an invaluable logbook of your anchoring history. You can review which spots provided the best holding, recall the exact scope you used in a favorite cove months ago, or analyze your habits to become a better skipper. For anyone who has ever said, "I think we anchored somewhere around here last year," this device provides the definitive answer. It’s the ultimate tool for the meticulous, data-driven mariner who wants to learn from every experience.

Chain Counter Installation & Calibration Guide

Installing a chain counter is a straightforward project that most boat owners can tackle in an afternoon. The system consists of two main parts: the display unit at your helm and a sensor with a magnet mounted near your windlass.

First, mount the sensor. It needs to be positioned so the magnet, which you’ll attach to the windlass gypsy (the wheel that grabs the chain), passes by it with each revolution. The gap is usually just a few millimeters. Secure the magnet firmly—epoxy is your friend here—as it’s the most common point of failure. Run the sensor cable back to the helm, being careful to secure it away from chafe points and high-heat areas.

Calibration is the final, crucial step. In your display’s setup menu, you’ll tell the unit how much chain is deployed for one full revolution of the gypsy. The best way to do this is to manually pay out a known length of chain—say, 50 feet—while counting the gypsy revolutions. Divide the length by the revolutions, enter that value into the unit, and you’re set. Always double-check your work by raising and lowering the anchor to confirm the reading is accurate before you rely on it.

Ultimately, choosing a chain counter is about replacing guesswork with certainty. It’s an investment in safety, confidence, and a lower-stress experience on the water. Whether you need the rugged durability of a Maxwell, the smart data logging of an Anchor-Corder, or the elegant simplicity of a Goiot, the right tool empowers you to be a more precise and capable skipper every time you drop the hook.