Sea Anchor or Engine

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jrocheleau

jrocheleau

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Jan 29, 2008
20
Oday 30 Marinette
In heavy weather (winds > 50 mph), do you prefer weathering the storm on a sea anchor or underpower? Why?

I'm looking for opinions, this past weekend we weathered heavy winds in open water underpower (14hp diesel). When we got in, another sailor told me about weathering a storm with a sea anchor. Which is easier?
 
Richard19068

Richard19068

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Jun 11, 2004
1,772
Oday 31 Redondo Beach
Well, I really know nothing about this but since no one else has chimed in Ill throw out my 2 cents worth. I think there are several / many books on the subject.
To start I hope to never be out in 50+ knots. Never been out in anything over 35 except for some brief squalls. I assume you are talking about sustained wind speeds for a long period of time.

If you are just riding out the weather, have plenty of sea room and no traffic, I would think the sea anchor would be the way to go. Throw it out there, go below and ride it out.

Sustained motoring into the wind, and the seas that wind would develop, would become very tiring and I think it would be difficult to keep the bow into the swells.

You might want to try posting this on the ask all sailors board.
 
O

olsalt

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Nov 20, 2009
42
Oday 222 Oneida Lake in Upstate NY
At 50 kts what I'd want is sea room! Enough to run off under bare pole with a warp or two dragging.

Sea anchors can be stressful and motoring even more so.
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Series Drogue

The recommended method is a series drogue attached at the stern to a very rugged mounting point then going downwind trailing the drogue..
 
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