Capstans

Choosing a capstan for rope or chain

A capstan differs from a windlass gypsy in that it grips rope, or on some models chain, around a vertical rotating drum rather than pulling it through a fixed chain wheel, which makes it a common choice where deck layout does not suit a conventional windlass, such as a side deck or a boat with limited bow space. Drum diameter and pull rating need to be matched to the rope or chain diameter you are actually running, since an undersized capstan will slip under load rather than haul cleanly.

Deck thickness and the structure beneath it matter as much as the capstan itself; the mounting point needs backing strong enough to take the full pull rating without flexing, which usually means a doubler plate or backing pad below deck rather than relying on the gelcoat skin alone. Motor wiring and control switching are sized to the capstan's stall current, not its running current.