Capstan winch

[Escargo]

Does anyone have experience with those old capstans. I often think I'ld use one for pulling my duck boat up from the marsh,etc. I imagine one has to "tail" the line like a winch tightening a sheet on a sailboat. But, one would not be limited by distance, only how much rope you had. What powers them? Besides looking cool as hell, are they practical? Can their pulling power be compared to other winches?

[leafsprung]

Capstan works like you are describing. They are fairly weak compared to other winches. They require the operator to put tension on the rope so they are not ideal for self recovery. Most are driven from the engine crankshaft.

[Andrew IIA]

I think the capstan winches are soo cool

Dangerous as all get out I hear too (finger amupators).

[junkyddog11]

Handy to pull dead trucks into the shop. Requires a well rehearsed team to use for offroad recovery. Duckboats, probably would be fine. Make sure you have someone filming.

[I Leak Oil]

Duckboats, probably would be fine. Make sure you have someone filming.

In black and white of course...