Even though shipboard technology has advanced tremendously over the course of centuries, many of the jobs sailors need to accomplish are unchanged. This has led to a certain consistency in the design of many pieces of marine equipment, and the venerable capstan is a prime example. Today you can find brand new, high-tech capstans reliably performing the same duties their manually-operated forebears handled in the age of sail.
How The Term “Capstan” Has Evolved
There is often some confusion over the different words used to describe shipboard handling equipment depending on their function and design. The fact that the terminology has evolved along with the technology doesn’t help matters, either. Although there is still some overlap with the similar terms “windlass” and “winch”, a modern capstan is distinct from these two relations. They all perform the same kind of work, but they go about it differently.
A capstan is different from a windlass because it operates on a vertical axis rather than a horizontal one. Capstans and windlasses are both distinguished from winches because they are used strictly for moving ropes and lines, not storing them. That means that a line drawn in by a capstan is stored elsewhere, not on the capstan itself.
Advantages And Uses Of A Capstan
While horizontal windlasses are now far more common than vertical capstans for shipboard line-handling, there are certain advantages to the capstan’s design that makes it suited for a few critical tasks. Capstans typically take up less deck space than windlasses of a similar capacity. They also apply more torque to lines, making them well-suited for critical applications like handling anchor lines. Most importantly, capstans are capable of handling lines coming in from any direction.
As noted above, capstans are often fitted to handle anchor lines. Their all-angle capability makes it possible to handle multiple anchors with a single piece of equipment even if their lines arrive on deck from different points. Capstans also make excellent general-purpose line handlers for this reason; a capstan can be employed immediately and without the use of any supplementary equipment to adjust line angles.
From a maintenance standpoint, capstans offer both advantages and drawbacks. The vertical design usually places the operating equipment below deck, where it’s protected from the elements.This below-deck equipment is not always easy to access, though, and it’s often in an area of the ship (e.g. the forepeak or chain locker) which is not particularly healthy for machinery.
Powering Capstans
Although a few vessels still mount historical capstans designed for manual operation, the overwhelming majority of marine capstans make are mechanized to deliver more power more efficiently. Self-contained electric capstans are common on smaller vessels. Larger capstans that need to handle heavier lines on big ships are often powered by the vessel’s own hydraulic system or pneumatic system, though. There are various kinds of capstans which can adopt different power modes as needed; to know more about the drive types and features of capstans, just click here https://ellsenmarinewinches.com/capstan/.
While they’re no longer the most common tool used for serious line handling jobs at sea, vertical capstans still have a vital role to play in modern sailing. This is thanks to the unique advantages of their design which are impossible to replicate in other forms. Their ability to handle lines at any angle and their compact overall footprint both ensure that capstans will continue to enjoy regular use on ships and boats of all sizes. Capstans are specially designed marine winches, and it has been applied on ships for a long time. Ellsen just provides variety of capstans and winches as options, and you can just contact us by clicking this www.ellsenMarinewinches.com/.