Sea anchor

Series Drogue Construction - Make Your Own Series Drogue Sea Anchor

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• published: 03 Feb 2011
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http://www.sailrite.com/Series-Drogue-Cone-Kit-100-Cones Sew your own cones. Cones are computer plotted and precut making their construction easy and uncomplicated with complete instructions. "The Series Drogue is an uncomplicated boat saver." It looks something like a parade of jellyfish in single file, and consists of 100 or more five-inch-diameter cones of nylon sailcloth attached every 20 inches along a long length of line. A 15 to 50 pound anchor fastened at the end of the line keeps the drogue from popping out of the water, a common problem with existing sea anchors. This Series Drogue was designed by U.S. Coast Guard researchers after tests showed that conventional sea anchors, which use a single large fabric parachute, are subject to fatigue failure as they fill with water and then collapse under the strains generated by storm waves. They are often destroyed before the storm calms. The string of little cones used in the Series Drogue ensures that most are filled and grabbing hold of water at any time, so the boat remains properly positioned for the next wave strike (Best Capsize Prevention for Breaking Waves). The proper position has been found to be "stern to" the oncoming waves; this keeps the boat running with the wind and waves, lessening the relative speed of the on rushing walls of water. The Series Drogue's steadier grip ensures that the boat's fittings are under a more-constant load, which is less likely to destroy them. In simulated fatigue testing, the drogue was subjected to 15,000 cycles (the equivalent of a giant hurricane) without a failure. It still looked new and unworn, with only the cloth stiffness gone. Drogue deployment and retrieval from the water is easy and in most cases can be done hand-over-hand. Only in extremely difficult storm conditions is a winch recommended for retrieval. (The drogue will compress around the winch without damage to its integrity). The U.S. Coast Guard team that developed this drogue hopes boaters will add this easily made and stored device to their boat's inventory of safety equipment.