Why does a drogue / sea anchor have a hole in the center?
 

....
I agree to the extent that you still have control of the boat. If you
don't, anything that works.

Indeed. I have both a sea anchor and a drogue and I've even used the
drogue in anger, but they wouldn't do for every day... If you can't
get your sails up and down in anything on the nice side of a gale then
something is not right.

-- Tom.

Why does a drogue / sea anchor have a hole in the center?
 

Wayne.B wrote in
:

The bow of the
boat would absolutely refuse to come closer to the wind than about 90
to 100 degrees. Every time it would come higher, the bow would get
picked up by a wave a be blown side ways again.

Did we have our engine running and couldn't bring her into the wind?? That
would be kind of scary.

I've been in 18-20' seas off the Georgia coast in the Amel 41 ketch. I
don't think the wind hit 60, maybe 45-50. It was decided, rightly, to furl
it all and run the Perkins at 2800 RPM until it passed. Once the rags were
wound up, it was just a roller coaster ride to make you sick for hours on
end. It lasted about 8 hours before tapering off. Everyone had had it,
exhausted, by then. As it calmed, we set the watch on just the jib and let
everyone sleep half a day to recover. I don't think I've ever been that
tired in my life....

Larry
--
My calendar must be wrong....
In all the stores, it's ALREADY Christmas!

Why does a drogue / sea anchor have a hole in the center?
 

I wasn't thinking of heavy weather at all, I just want the boat nicely
pointed into the wind while I take my time to handle both sails,
instead of running back and forth. But you are right, retrieval might
be even more of a hassle. Thanks!

Why does a drogue / sea anchor have a hole in the center?
 

Can you set a small riding sail from your backstays?

wrote in message
oups.com...

I wasn't thinking of heavy weather at all, I just want the boat nicely
pointed into the wind while I take my time to handle both sails,
instead of running back and forth. But you are right, retrieval might
be even more of a hassle. Thanks!

Why does a drogue / sea anchor have a hole in the center?
 

On 14 Nov 2006 09:57:02 -0600, Dave wrote:

I didn't see anything in the OP's post indicating that his purpose was
primarily to be able to raise sails in storm conditions.

You're right, that was apparently not his intention. Sea anchors and
drogues are storm equipment in my mind.

Why does a drogue / sea anchor have a hole in the center?
 

Why does a drogue / sea anchor have a hole in the center?
 

Same reason a parachute has a hole in the apex. To allow a small amount of
air/water through so that the anchor/parachute doesn't oscillate.

Cap'n Ric