Abstract: A variable speed winch including a uni-directional drum rotatable initially by the clockwise motion of a handle in a clockwise sense only. The winch also includes a gear selector including a control plate rotatable with respect to the drum into an extreme clockwise position wherein a first gear ratio is selected. The gear selector further includes ratchet structure, splined to a shaft rotatable by the handle. The ratchet structure is slidable axially with respect to the shaft under the influence of a cam structure responsive to the relative angular displacements of the handle with respect to the control plate. The control plate has recesses engageable by respective spring-loaded balls captively supported by the ratchet structure. The balls are adapted to enter and lock within the recesses in response to an anti-clockwise rotation of the handle sufficient to cause axial sliding of the ratchet structure, with respect to the shaft, under the influence of the cam structure.