Use of Sea Anchor

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by sailormed

Smourt if I understand it correctly you want to deploy your sea anchor in this situation so you are “drifting” your boat against the prevailing wind and get Speed over Ground against the wind by using the 6 knots current?
So your distination is upwind but down the current.

Thanks for that clarification.

The other thing to clarify exactly what the OP means by “sea anchor” as he could mean one of 3 things:
1-a true sea anchor -being something like a parachute that is deployed off the bow and essential holds the boat still in the water column.
2- a high resistance drogue like a Jordan Series Drogue which is normal deployed off the stern and provides a LOT of resistance but won’t stop you in the water
3- a low resistance drogue like a Gale Rider or SeaBrake, normal deployed off the stern which is designed to slow you down in the water column to keep a safe speed.

I think the answer would be different for each of these devices.

1 would give you the most connection to the current, it’s a huge light weight thing, would likely be very difficult to retrieve.
2 ????
3 would give you less forward speed, you would get some traction if the current velocity but would be easier to retrieve.

I was in a strong wind against current situation once, 6knots against about 20 knots of headwind. Motoring right along. But the standing waves were awesome, i was more hanging on than steering as we pounded through. Bow up to the sky, now down in the trough, it’s a wonder I didn’t throw the stick out.

IMHO best to avoid that situation all together. I would only do this if I really screwed up.