Sampson Boat Covideo

Installing the Capstan / hoisting topsails!

22 June 2024 · 25 min · 534K views

What this video covers

Leo Goolden installs a cast-iron capstan on the deck of the 1910 gaff cutter Tally Ho.0:13 To prepare the mounting surface, he fabricates a teak plinth, using a router with a custom five-degree angled base to taper the central hole for the capstan’s main shaft.3:05 He machines the capstan’s four mounting holes to a uniform size and adds counterbores to accommodate custom-machined bronze nuts.4:49 The capstan components, along with a fisherman’s anchor and mainsheet jibe buffer, undergo flame spraying with zinc and a two-part marine paint finish to prevent corrosion.6:51 Leo dry-fits the assembly, drills through-deck holes for the drive shaft and control mechanism using a barefoot auger bit, and beds the base with 5/8-inch bronze bolts.22:01 Additionally, the crew hoists the full five-sail rig, including the topsail and flying jib, for the first time during a sea trial.9:29 Proper alignment of the capstan’s drive shaft and control linkage requires precise pattern-making and iterative dry-fitting to ensure clearance with the deck structure below.24:25

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