Some of you will know that I am a series drogue manufacturer, I have
always felt that para anchors while not really suited to mono hulls in
serious storms, do have a place as storm survival equipment aboard
multihulls, because they do not tend to yaw at anchor.
But lately I have been trying to get my head around how the hell do
you set the right length of line to position the parachute, and if you
make a mistake and have to adjust the length, how is this possible,
when the things hanging off a bridle.
regards
Bryan

I would think the easiest way is to have very long lines for the bridles
that would allow you to let out or retract the appropriate amount.

"Bryan Glover" wrote in message
om...
Some of you will know that I am a series drogue manufacturer, I have
always felt that para anchors while not really suited to mono hulls in
serious storms, do have a place as storm survival equipment aboard
multihulls, because they do not tend to yaw at anchor.
But lately I have been trying to get my head around how the hell do
you set the right length of line to position the parachute, and if you
make a mistake and have to adjust the length, how is this possible,
when the things hanging off a bridle.
regards
Bryan

The "Bass Strait 18" works just fine on a 14tonne,13.7metre mono, thats
unless your suggesting we dont have serious storms in both Bass Strait or
the Tasman sea. I'm only a customer of Para-Anchors but its one of the few
products I would endorse. See www.paraanchors.com.au
regards,
David Graham
SV Slainte-Mhath.
"Bryan Glover" wrote in message
om...
Some of you will know that I am a series drogue manufacturer, I have
always felt that para anchors while not really suited to mono hulls in
serious storms, do have a place as storm survival equipment aboard
multihulls, because they do not tend to yaw at anchor.
But lately I have been trying to get my head around how the hell do
you set the right length of line to position the parachute, and if you
make a mistake and have to adjust the length, how is this possible,
when the things hanging off a bridle.
regards
Bryan

Dear David,
I dont share your confidence in para anchors, read para VS series
drogue at www.seriesdrogue.com the us coast guard does not share your
confidence either,
regards
bryan

Lot of information here, but it is mainly written about the series drogue.
It states that the terms drogue and sea anchor can be used interchangably,
but they are decidedly different, for different purposes. Diameters
suggested were much smaller than what would be used as a sea anchor over the
bow.
The OP was about catamarans. Multihulls are less able to use the traditional
methods of heaving to or lying ahull; OTOH beingable to use a bridle with a
sea anchor from the bows, a multihull won't have the yawing problem a mono
could experience.
I have not had the need to set a sea anchor, but I have spoken to men who
have in 2 separate incidences, and both were pleased.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Dear David,
I dont share your confidence in para ainchors, read para VS series
drogue at www.seriesdrogue.com the us coast guard does not share your
confidence either,
regards
bryan

wrote:
Dear David,
I dont share your confidence in para anchors, read para VS series
drogue at www.seriesdrogue.com the us coast guard does not share your
confidence either,
regards
bryan


Bryan,

Not that you're biased or trying to sell anything

Have you read the "Drag Device Database"? There are plenty of stories
of successful use of parachute sea anchors there.

I talked to the skipper of one of the boats in the boat, the 36' cat
Catherine Estelle. The conditions he described were very extreme. He
thinks a parachute sea anchor saved his boat and his life. I tend to
agree since he's still around. I would rather have the stronger part
of the boat facing into a breaking sea.

Notice in the CG pictures of the Columbia bar that the bow is facing
into the breaking waves and they are powering through them. Same idea
as a parachute sea anchor. In a perfect world I'd have both series
drogue and parachute sea anchor on my boat; forced to choose, I'd go
with a parachute sea anchor.

In article ,
(Bryan Glover) wrote:

Some of you will know that I am a series drogue manufacturer, I have
always felt that para anchors while not really suited to mono hulls in
serious storms, do have a place as storm survival equipment aboard
multihulls, because they do not tend to yaw at anchor.
But lately I have been trying to get my head around how the hell do
you set the right length of line to position the parachute, and if you
make a mistake and have to adjust the length, how is this possible,
when the things hanging off a bridle.
regards
Bryan

?? You don't run the bridle ends to the primary winches so you can
adjust?? They're the safest attach points on our boat.

I'm thinking as a drogue, not a sea anchor. 'Course, I'm the sort that
"backs" into the wind if I have to hold station: The aerodynamic drag's
mostly forward and I want the bow pointed into our direction of drift,
not the wind.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Dear Jere
Winches should not be used as attachment points for a drogue, I have
seen them torn out, something more substantial is required. see
designers notes at www.seriesdrogue.com
regards
Bryan

In article .com,
wrote:

Dear Jere
Winches should not be used as attachment points for a drogue, I have
seen them torn out, something more substantial is required. see
designers notes at www.seriesdrogue.com
regards
Bryan


As I'd said, the primary winches on my boat are the strongest points --
that can be adjusted: wide base, well backed, designed for a couple of
thousand pound grinding, quite a bit higher shock loading.

Now, the cleats are all 4-bolt, through-bolted through solid deck and
backed -- you could probably pick our boat up with the primary or any
two others, but you can't easily haul lines in, only let them out.

Truth be told, I'd probably cleat off and lead to the winches, just in
case a cleat failed.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/