Para Drogues
A Para Drogue is deployed from the stern and designed to provide greater control, vary the speed of the vessel and improve directional stability downwind. This is particularly important when running before large seas, reducing the risk of broaching, particularly in breaking waves and shallow seas. It can also be rigged as an emergency steering device and help prevent overtaking when under tow.
Drogues - Running before it
There are many situations where conditions are poor but not really life-threatening, and you would rather continue sailing and still maintain control. If you're running before big seas, especially breaking seas, broaching can be a danger, notably if you are running dead square to the wind. Whether in the ocean or entering a harbour (perhaps over a bar) even in a narrow channel, broaching can be disastrous. This calls for a drogue. The Para-Drogue is based on parachute technology, but in the case of a drogue we use two parachute sea anchors. The two units are cut differently and closely coupled. They are designed to interact with each other, creating a very high drag and consequent pressure wave. The Para-Drogue will not break free of the water and maintains an even and positive drag on the stern of a vessel. The Para-Drogue has a simple adjustable vent that can be pretensioned to vary the load being applied to the boat.
Para-Drogue test results.
BOAT |
SPEED |
DRAG |
5 knots 265kg |
7 knots 480kg |
9 knots 890kg |
When stowed, the para drogue is able to be stored in a shoe box sized locker. Manufactured from high density nylon with all seams and panels heavily reinforced.
Ice Cat Challenge
Terry Travers and Robin Chamberlin carried both the parachute sea anchor and Para-Drogue on their challenging voyage to Antarctica. Regarding the use of the Para-Drogue, Terry advises "This arrangement served us well for the three days of the gale allowing us to steer by winching in the arm of the bridle in the direction we wished to turn. After the gale passed we retrieved the Para-Drogue and inspected it, finding it like new."
Drogue information
The Para Anchor Drogue comes in three versions, single, tandem and triple. The tandem and triple units are designed to interact with each other maintaining a positive and even drag on the stern of the vessel.
Description |
Boat size(m) |
Boat size(ft) |
Part number |
Yacht drogue |
<15.24m |
Up to 50ft |
SAF1200 |
Yacht Tandem drogue |
>15.24m |
Over 50ft |
SAF1220 |
Yacht Triple drogue |
>21m |
Over 70ft |
SAF1225 |
Drogue lines
Drogue lines are made from braided Nylon line and come complete with a thimble and eye at one end allowing easy attachment to the drogue.
Description |
Dimension |
Part number |
Single drogue |
14mm x 80m |
SAF1230 |
Tandem drogue |
16mm x 80m |
SAF1235 |
Triple drogue |
16mm x 80m |
SAF1235 |
Please note the charts on the Para Anchor and Drogue pages should be used as an approximate guide only. Vessel details should be confirmed with manufacturer before ordering. Two boats of the same length, one with full keel heavy displacement the other light displacement would behave differently on the same Para-Anchor. Therefore each boat would require a different size Para-Anchor.
Please contact our office for more details.