Need help from the brain trust - sailboats
 

There is a device used on sailboats and other applications that I need to describe but I can't find the name of. It is a drum, rotated by an engine. A rope is connected at one end to a crane or boom and the user wraps the other end of the rope around the drum for a few turns. When lifting a sail or cargo the user pulls on the rope, which tightens it against the drum, causing it to wind around the drum, lifting the weight by motor power. To lower the weight or control the speed of the rope the user relaxes the tension on the rope, allowing it to slip on the drum.
It differs from a windlass in that the drum always turns in the same direction and the end of the rope is not attached to the drum. What is this thing called?

I believe you are referring to a capstan:

Capstan (nautical) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A windlass is electric or hydraulic powered powered and turns in both directions. Its also always horizontal. Most capstans on sailboats are hand cranked although there are some powered ones. Capstans are vertical.

winch but there are lots of kinds/types

there was a show on old Chinese junks last weekend
that used a double drum [different sized] and counter weight

what you described is a common sailboat mast winch
they are mostly hand powered but can be motor driven on bigger boats
ether electric or hyd powered
some later square rigged ships used donkey motors [steam or later IC] to raise sails and booms

The same arrangement has been used in the oil fields as well, even to the extent of attaching one to the rear wheels of a truck for hoist assistance. A Capstan, for sure

There is a term that we used to be use when I was working on marine equipment 30 years ago. The PC police won't like it being used now. ;)

most windlass are used on anchors and have a chain sprocket
some have a drum used on the other side of the chain side
they can be powered by hand or electric or hyd power
but most freewheel going down as you can't get the chain to slip

You know exactly what I'm talking about then. I'm trying to find the PC term for it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1361992394.jpg

This is part of a photo from a 1909 brochure that I am going to use in a magazine article. The uh, 'item' is a drum directly connected to the engine crankshaft.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1361992506.jpg

This is part of the original caption describing the item. I obviously can't use it word for word.

When doing subsurface sampling - the drill rig is equipped with a friction cathead - seems similar to what you are trying to describe...

Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing eTool: Illustrated Glossary - Cathead

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/oila...es/cathead.jpg

Cathead it is. Thank you very much.

FWIW, there are no ropes on a sailboat, they are called lines. YMMV

Unless they ( lines) are made of metal.

like chow lines

or sheets

The word I was referring to is in the picture above.