....
I was thinking of using a drogue from the bow of the boat to keep it
pointed into the wind for raising/lowering sails. Is this practical?

No it isn't. I find that when I want to get underway offshore without
using the engine that raising or unfurling the jib and then putting the
boat as hard on the wind as she'll go and then raising the main works
well. I only drop the main either in a big squall or in a calm while
at sea, in either case I find I can get the main down on any point of
sail. However, if you have trouble you can reverse the hoisting
procedure. In any case, drogues are a pain and sea anchors are a major
pain.

-- Tom.

On 13 Nov 2006 16:39:41 -0800, "
wrote:

In any case, drogues are a pain and sea anchors are a major
pain.

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

....
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.