Is this some sort of sea anchor?

[Chris8120]

I have no idea....

[sail sfbay]

If it is ......I would not use it. I have a Para-Tech Delta Drogue - 72" sea anchor on my Symbol 44 Sundeck to limit boat speed in, yaw motion (a side-to side movement of the bow and stern of the ship) and helps steering in following seas.

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=4064102

[toddster8]

Looks like a wrap-around bag or cover for something. Like an inflatable or a sail maybe.

[JPA Cate]

I don't know what it was designed for, but it sort of looks like something you could use to get under someone conscious, and hoist them up sitting, or rescue a pet with, if they were in the water. Trouble is, no idea how large the orange part is, or how strong the golden straps.

Ann

[Chris8120]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

I don't know what it was designed for, but it sort of looks like something you could use to get under someone conscious, and hoist them up sitting, or rescue a pet with, if they were in the water. Trouble is, no idea how large the orange part is, or how strong the golden straps.

Ann

A pic of the other side. The floor tiles are 4' x 4' for reference. The closest thing I've seen to it is a chute for a drag racer...serious, lol. Came with the boat.

[Discovery 15797]

A drogue and a sea anchor are 2 separate things.

This appears to be too small to be a sea (or storm) anchor (based on the apparent measurement). Also, most modern sea anchors are designed similar to small parachutes and usually much larger in circumference (e.g. > 12+ ft.)

This looks to be some sort of drogue. Drogue are designed to "bleed" water because their purpose is to only slow forward momentum. But, hard to imagine how this would work without collapsing on itself.

Are there any markings on it?

[Don C L]

Looks to me like things I saw many years ago that were meant to be drogues. Given that it appears to have a loop on the back for a trip line I think that is what it is.

[Lemsteraak]

I have one, bought it at a flea market up in Seattle, I'm a cheap bastard. Pretty heavy duty and should serve a smaller boat. I keep it in case I need a sea anchor. Derived from a military cargo chute.

They were carried on fishing boats, back when fishing boats were smaller .... wood ... prettier ... when Fisherman's Wharf was a working waterfront.

There is a technique to use one. I got a chance to to see the one that the Purdey's carried on their boat and swore by. It was part of their heavy weather technique. They would deploy it with a technique so the boat quartered the waves then go below and have a cup of tea. Here is a link to the history and if you need a heavy duty one - https://www.para-anchor.com/info.aboutfior.html run by a very nice fellow. If I ever go open ocean, I'll have him make a proper one for me.

[Jim Cate]

So, why not chuck it overboard whilst underway in nice conditions and see what happens? It should be obvious if it works as a drogue. Theory is good, but experiments are often better!

Jim

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Chris8120

I have no idea....

Yep, drogue actually which is similar and used differently but similar effect.

[Lemsteraak]

I meant to reference this article. Gives a nice background to the development of the sea anchor in Southern California.

https://www.para-anchor.com/reports/Para-Anchor.pdf

[Don C L]

Yeah it's not a sea anchor but could be drogue. What size boat do you have? If you don't want it I'll take it! It looks to be same vintage as my boat, it'll fit right in!