Sea Anchor Size

[shamrock]

Would a 5 foot diameter sea anchor, parachute type, be big enough for a 35 foot boat to keep the bow into the wind in a real blow? I have the opportunity to buy one for next to nothing, but looking on the web, it seems it might be too small. Any thoughts between the trade offs of this vs a 9 foot diameter or so?

thanks!

[bruce smith]

keel type? fin , full? displacement?
One does not know the answer until it is maybe too late.
Some might set it in 50 knots, some never.
A smaller one may not pull the cleats outta the deck.
One might live through retrieving a 5 'er and not a 9'er.
Get both if you are planning on severe weather. Pick up an old motorbike too!! They make the best drogue.

[shamrock]

Fin keel, displacement 16,000 loaded probably 20,000

[Hydra]

According to some sources (Pardey, Hinz), a rule of thumb is sea anchor diameter equal to yacht beam or 1/3 of yacht length.

Alain

[charliehows]

just my 2 bobs worth - do a bit of research before you plan to use a drogue or whatever to try and keep the bow up to the wind, i've read quite a bit of advice that the safest way to try and ride out with a drogue is to put it off the stern. I've got a couple of old scooter tires in my aft hatch for that purpose with about 50m of line, havent had to use it yet but i'll be putting it over the stern if i do.

[cal40john]

Get a copy of the Drag Device Database

http://www.amazon.com/Drag-Device-Da...vice+data+base

Has reports from people using drogues and sea anchors and if they worked or not and has boat type, keel type, etc...

[boatsail]

If seas were breaking, wouldn't you want to be facing the waves?

In the Marines, when we were doing surf passages in California with breaking waves, the best position for the small boats stability and steering was directly facing into the wave.

[charliehows]

Originally Posted by boatsail

If seas were breaking, wouldn't you want to be facing the waves?

In the Marines, when we were doing surf passages in California with breaking waves, the best position for the small boats stability and steering was directly facing into the wave.

agree if you are under power the best approach is head to sea, but if you are battened down and trying to ride out a storm the problem with trying to sit bow up is that the tendency of most boats is to ride beam on to the sea. Thats what my boat does which is ok for the most part, just a bit bumpy. even without any sails my boat will also sail downwind. the main purpose of a drogue off the stern in this case is to slow her down and reduce the chance of broaching while retaining some rudder control. Im no expert which is why i suggested to the OP to do a bit of research. if you are thinking of putting out a drogue you are way beyond having any use for an engine.