Odd looking parachute anchor

[JimJ]

Hi folks, this is my first post here...

The boat I purchased recently came with a parachute anchor, which is a good thing, but I'm having a difficult time making heads or tails of it. I've searched the net, and the sites of the various sea anchor manufacturers, but can't find anything that looks similar.

The diameter of the chute itself is around 12' or so, and the shrouds are braided and only about 3.5' long (which is the main "odd" bit.) There were no labels of any kind, and it could be anywhere from 18 months to 25 years old. Doesn't look like it's ever been used.

I'm hoping someone might recognize the construction details or style and know who made it.

Here's some photos:

[colemj]

I'm guessing homemade. The stitching, while looking validly robust, is crooked and uneven in both stitch length and direction. The weaving of the nylon lines and the tied eye splices look like someone's "good idea" (that will probably work). And I don't know what that material of the chute is - looks like lots of holes.

Also, I don't know any company that included a miniature red fox with their gear.

Mark

[JimJ]

You might be right about being homemade; it's certainly different. I may wind up just tossing it overboard... that is, to see how well it works. If it does well, I'll keep it.

(The little red fox keeps telling people he's a Chihuahua, but few believe him.)

Thanks!

[colemj]

Are you sure about the diameter of the chute? If the legs are ~3.5', then the maximum diameter could only be 7'.

Maybe it is a drogue and not a chute? That would explain the perforated fabric.

Mark

[Wraith_Mac]

Originally Posted by colemj

Are you sure about the diameter of the chute? If the legs are ~3.5', then the maximum diameter could only be 7'.

Maybe it is a drogue and not a chute? That would explain the perforated fabric.

Mark

Mac

[delmarrey]

Way too big to be a drogue for a 32' boat! About the right size for a sea anchor.

Do the knots come undone when deployed?

And I'd agree that it's home made.

[Celestialsailor]

I don't think home made...Because it's identical to mine.