Abstract: An apparatus for launching and retracting one or more sails of a sailing craft includes a reversible drive for rotating a drum. A rope or other elongated flexible element connects with movable parts of the one or more retractable sails and extends in a substantially continuous loop with a reach of the loop drivingly engaging the peripheral surface of the drum. Guides tension the loop and support the sail connection portions of the flexible element for movement between locations where the movable sail parts are launched and retracted. In preferred practice, the drive includes a radio signal responsive remote control system, and the apparatus operates to selectively launch and retract spinnaker and jib sails.