Electric winch v capstan

[smithy]

I was thinking about fitting an electric winch but whilst looking I noticed that capstans were a fraction of the price. I could replace one of my spinnaker winches with a capstan. I could then take a couple of turns of sheet/ halyard around their existing winches then lead them around the capstan giving extra purchase. The sheet would then be removed and stuck into its own self tailer, I think this would work for both genoa sheets, furler and halyard. Everything looks well placed to do this although one of the sheets would have to temporarily cross the cockpit before tightening then cleating off.
Am I missing something here? Anyone tried this?

 

[MontyMariner]

Putting a link up to the capstan you're thinking of, might stimulate some debate.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... replace one of my spinnaker winches with a capstan. I could then take a couple of turns of sheet/ halyard around their existing winches then lead them around the capstan giving extra purchase. ...

That would not increase purchase, just extra friction.

... The sheet would then be removed and stuck into its own self tailer, I think this would work for both genoa sheets, furler and halyard. ...

That can't be done because the capstan will be taking the load. However, if the quoted point on the first quote above happens, then the friction on the original winch may be sufficient to maintain tension while you manipulate the line. However, you will need to be in a position to hold the turns on the original winch, remove the line from the capstan, get into a position to wrap the line around the self tailer. Sounds like a recipe for losing line tension and defeating the winching purpose.

... Everything looks well placed to do this although one of the sheets would have to temporarily cross the cockpit before tightening then cleating off.
Am I missing something here? Anyone tried this?

I think crossing cockpit is fraught with hassle and hazard with sheets under load. Attempting to manage line transfer between winches, is at best awkward, at worst a recipe for crushed fingers, maybe a trip hazard, perhaps a strangulation hazard. Primarily though, if the electric capstan stops working, you could have a bigger issue.

You could try what you want to achieve just using the opposite winches and test the concept manually first before buying a capstan.

Fitting the capstan on a plinth in the middle of cockpit may be a better idea than just replacing a spinnaker winch.

I think servicing manual winches, ensuring leads are correct, strength training are all better ideas than this replacing a single spinnaker with a capstan.

I have worked on a yacht with a single, central winch in the cockpit and that worked well for the type of yacht, cruising, non performance orientated.

Save up for electric winches each side, you will probably be glad you did considering that you are thinking of electric conversation anyway.

Final point, sheet winches have needle bearings over a significant length of the drum, along the fixed shaft, to take the high loads, a capstan may not have such bearing support except at the top and bottom, which could be insufficient for the loads that sheets can see.

All the best with your idea.

 

[smithy]

South Pacific PRO EC1000A Vertical Electric Capstan Kit - 6mm / 12v This is the kind of capstan I was talking about, under £500. Considerably cheaper than three electric winches, if it works. There isn't room below the coachroof for dedicated halyard winch motor. Problems with the elbow joints and getting older is the issue, strength training won't help.

 

[Sea Change]

South Pacific PRO EC1000A Vertical Electric Capstan Kit - 6mm / 12v This is the kind of capstan I was talking about, under £500. Considerably cheaper than three electric winches, if it works. There isn't room below the coachroof for dedicated halyard winch motor. Problems with the elbow joints and getting older is the issue, strength training won't help.

45kg working load isn't very much...

 

[Neeves]

45kg working load isn't very much...

And not very much for a capstan either.

Jonathan

 

[Tranona]

That is because like their windlasses it is pretty lightweight with only a 300W motor. Their claim is that the direct drive and lack of gears means less loss, but also means the load is direct onto the motor.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Andersons' make a variable speed direct drive winch with the motor in the base.
ANDERSEN ELECTRIC STAINLESS #52 COMPACT VARIABLE SPEED 12V ABOVE DECK WINCH | eBay UK
Expensive but it might work.
Although electric capstan winches are common on larger yachts, you need to be very careful that you don't get clothes or fingers trapped in them. They are potentially dangerous, and are banned in some places I've worked.
You'd also have to be very careful about getting the various lead (fleet) angles to the winch to prevent riding turns.
Although I can envisage what you are trying to do, it doesn't sound very well thought through.
We have two electric sheet winches and an electric main halyard winch.
The sheet winches, one on each side of the cockpit, and they control the main, genoa and asymmetric, via a series of clutches. It's OK for cruising, you finish up with a lot of rope around the winches, and you can only work with one sail at a time which is very slow, and you can finish up with quite a tangle of rope if you aren't very careful.