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Boat Forum / Building / November 2006Why does a drogue / sea anchor have a hole in the center?
What is it good for? Retrieval? It helps to stabilize the sea anchor.....keeps it from swinging side to side. DAVe > What is it good for? Retrieval? In my yoot, this hole was for the "storm oil" container..... a conical shaped container containing some fish oil, etc, with a petcock that would be opened to drain a small quantity of oil to calm the seas. > It helps to stabilize the sea anchor.....keeps it from swinging side to > side. > DAVe >> What is it good for? Retrieval? Like a traditional parachute it spills water to keep the maximum drag. To over simplify it, if the water builds up inside a dome of higher pressure builds up across the leading edges and the flow becomes more like dragging a ball than a cone. It will start wobbling and loose drag.  SignatureGlenn Ashmore I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com > What is it good for? Retrieval? Thanks, that makes sense. Do you know any rule of thumb how large the hole should be, and how long the cone should be in relation to the front diameter? 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? Thanks again, Chris > Like a traditional parachute it spills water to keep the maximum drag. To > over simplify it, if the water builds up inside a dome of higher pressure [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > > What is it good for? Retrieval? Chris, Could a drogue do this? Yes, but they are always nasty to bring back aboard. It's worst than a wet sail because it has to hold water. You can't put it anyplace that water isn't running out of it. Why would you do this? I kind of lost there. How did you get the boat out of the harbor? If it was towed, stay under tow until the main is set. If you are under power, use the power to hold head to wind... If you are sailing alone, if it is a real small boat learn to work fast. If it is larger, buy and auto-pilot (the best thing ever for setting and clearing sail short handed). Matt Colie Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and Pathological Sailor > Thanks, that makes sense. > Do you know any rule of thumb how large the hole should be, and how [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >> >>>What is it good for? Retrieval? ... > 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. > 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. > 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? > Thanks again, > Chris NO. Please buy and read "Heavy Weather Tactics Unsing Sea ANchors & Drouges," by Hinz, Earl R. A drogue is a boat slower deployed off the stern. A sea anchor is a boat stopper deployed off the bow. 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! Can you set a small riding sail from your backstays? > 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! Chris_MdR@gmx.net inscribed in red ink for all to know: > 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! I'd agree with an earlier poster: get an autopilot and stay under power until at least the main is hoisted and set. Believe me - you will find many other times when the autopilot is at least a convenience and a few where it is a life saver. bob s/v Eolian Seattle 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 |
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