Sea Anchor Vrs Anchor

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Franklin

I was wondering if anybody could tell me if there is a difference in ride on a sea anchor vrs. an anchor? I am considering buying one but to get a feel for how it would be, I dropped anchor 2 miles out into the gulf at 25' deep. It was very rough for it only being 14 kts true, waves 4-6' according to the buoy into. My dock neighbor says a sea anchor would be more forgiving and smoother but he has never used one so I thought I would see if any anybody here knows first hand. Comments?
 
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Steve O.

won't work

A sea anchor or drogue is not a ground tackle. There are several designs, one example is a parachute-type that is deployed in storm conditions to slow the boats progress and maintain control of the vessel. Some skippers disagree about the safety and effectiveness of the device, but it is not to be substituted for ground tackle.
 
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Franklin

Misunderstanding

I was NOT asking if it could be used for "grounding". My question is about the RIDE under a sea anchor. I was thinking of getting one to use to anchor while I sleep in blue water, but if the ride is anything like what I experienced with a regular anchor in 25' water and 4-6 waves, I wouldn't be able to sleep at all.
 
Jun 7, 2004
944
Birch Bay Washington
A drogue or parachute anchor

is deployed with a weight to keep it submerged. If you are in 25 feet of water, it would be dragging on the bottom. Not a good idea in my opinion. As I understand it, these devices are mostly used to keep the bow into the wind. An anchor will do that too. If you want a smoother ride, use a longer rode, add a kellet, and or use a snubber. It is going to be a rough ride in 4-6 foot waves no matter what else you do.
 
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Franklin

Thanks

"kellet, and or use a snubber" Not sure what those are but I will look into that. Once again, I was misunderstood. I wanted to get a feel for what it would be like to use a sea anchor in BLUE water but I didn't have one, so I thought using my ground anchor in 25' would be a similiar test. I wanted to know if I could sleep in conditions of 15 kts of wind in blue water. I do not plan on using a sea anchor in 25' of water.
 
Jun 7, 2004
944
Birch Bay Washington
A kellet is a weight

put part way down the anchor line. It acts like a shock absorber bouncing up and down as the boat pulls on the anchor. A snubber is just a big rubber thing which adds some stretch to the line it is attached to. You could use both. Both of these things will reduce the rapidly changing pull of the line to a point. I doubt that a parachute anchor will be much more comfortable than your anchor. That kind of wave action alone will be pretty uncomfortable and will make it difficult to sleep. Better to take some crew to keep the boat underway if you want some sleep in the blue water. Physical comfort is only one factor which will affect your ability to sleep. If you cannot sleep, that is a good sign that it is not a good idea to do so.
 
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Steve O.

OK, sorry...

I misunderstood your question. A snubber is a piece of rubber that is attached to the anchor line, kind of acts as a shock absorber. Don't know what a kellet is--never heard the term.
 
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