drogue vs sea anchor

[kimberlite]

for those of you who have launched either the gail rider or the jordan drogue
what do you think is better.
eric

[gershel]

Eric,both items you mentioned are drogues & are towed behind the boat. A sea anchor is deployed from the bow,& is intended to stop the boat & hold the bow into the wind & seas.
Marc

[kimberlite]

gershel,
what is your experience with them ?
which one do you own?
.
i left out the para anchor that is why the original post was confusing.
eric

[gershel]

Eric, I have a 15'' Paratech sea anchor on my 36'' catamaran. I''ve never had to use it,but I suppose I should practice with it. A very good reference on the subject is the book "Drag Device Data Base" by Victor Shane. He has many case histories documented & you may be able to determine what method is best for you.
Marc

[kimberlite]

gershel,
i have read the dddb.
unfortunately i have had to use my jordan drogue and wanted to discuss this with other people who have used either a drogue or sea anchor.
thanks
anyway
eric

[kimberlite]

i forgot to mention,
i think launching a sea anchor or drogue might be good practice, but they can be a hazard in anything but heavy weather.
eric

[kimberlite]

any more comments about a drogue or sea anchor. has anyone launched one in heavy weather?
eric

[svdragonseeker]

I believe that it depends on the boat. some boats handle differntly depending on the underbody. I have tried a drogue and did not like it very much with my boat. I have now got a para anchor and have not had occasion to deploy it, but I think that my boat will answer better to it.
SV

[kimberlite]

hi,
what kind of conditions did you deploy the drogue?
what drogue was it?
what boat do you own??
thanks
eric

[svdragonseeker]

If I remember right the sea conditions were winds app.30-40, seas 20 period app. 6-7 sec.
Big bend of gulf coast shallow waters canget nasty in a norther.