On 14 Dec 2005 10:04:01 -0800, "Bob" wrote:

So what is the best way to handle heavy weather?

==========================

Avoid it like the plague.

Plan your route, time of passage and weather window to give you the
best possible odds of having no heavy weather at all.

For what it's worth the folks who make the "Galerider", whom I know
well, maintain that it is designed for deployment at the stern as an
aide to running off downwind. Based on my own experience in small
sailboats, running off is a perfectly fine tactic as long as you have
some sea room to use up. The stern drogue can help you slow down,
thus using less sea room, and can also help avert a pitchpole or
broach if overtaken by a large breaking sea.

Most humbly agree.

Okay, so what is a progressively measured response to progressively
deteriorating weather.

Step 1: Do as you said. Plan and avoid like the plague.
Step 2: ??
Step 3: ??

Right on about the "Galerider." Got one. Works great for what it was
designed to accomplish. This discussion got my interest up again so I
thumbed through my Nights Modern Seamanship 1943 edition. There is a
stern deployed drogue in the book that looks strikingly similar to the
Galerider design. I guess if it works it works. Why reinvent the wheel.
The book also has a great discussion that echoes your comments.

Interesting that Pardey is adamant about NOT running with the sea while
towing a "Galerider" type drogue. Pardey says its not a good idea
because you might run into something; like a continent. So he simply
dismisses the whole idea of running free or running with a drogue. Go
figure. I have used it with great success. Never used it to cross a bar
though. Always followed your advice.. avoid such situations like the
plague. Better hang out a day or so till conditions improve.
Bob

"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Most humbly agree.

Okay, so what is a progressively measured response to progressively
deteriorating weather.

Step 1: Do as you said. Plan and avoid like the plague.
Step 2: ??
Step 3: ??

Right on about the "Galerider." Got one. Works great for what it was
designed to accomplish. This discussion got my interest up again so I
thumbed through my Nights Modern Seamanship 1943 edition. There is a
stern deployed drogue in the book that looks strikingly similar to the
Galerider design. I guess if it works it works. Why reinvent the wheel.
The book also has a great discussion that echoes your comments.

Interesting that Pardey is adamant about NOT running with the sea while
towing a "Galerider" type drogue. Pardey says its not a good idea
because you might run into something; like a continent. So he simply
dismisses the whole idea of running free or running with a drogue. Go
figure. I have used it with great success. Never used it to cross a bar
though. Always followed your advice.. avoid such situations like the
plague. Better hang out a day or so till conditions improve.
Bob

You may be interested in the December issue of Cruising World. There is a
pretty good article by Beth Leonard / Evans Starzinger on their use of the
Gailrider drogue. They use it to keep boat speed in the 5-7 knot range and
to keep the stern of the boat directly into oncoming waves. They use twice
the length of rode recommended by Gailrider and use a bridle to position the
drogue in the center. Some good information on other aspects of drogue use.