Sea Anchor

Sea Anchor Anchors

The sea anchor or drogue has, in one form or another, been around for a lot longer than a lot of other boat accessories. Some are designed to hold a boat’s position in the water much the same way ordinary boat anchors do but most are used to slow a vessel down or keep it straight. The difference between sea anchors and ordinary boat anchors is that a sea anchor does not touch the bottom, it drags through the water just below the surface.

A boat will drift beam-on (side-on) to the wind or current if it is left to itself; some power boats will drift with their transom cocked towards the wind, this has a number of consequences. Beam-on, a boat presents a lot of area to the wind or current. Therefore, as the boat turns beam-on, it drifts even faster. Another consequence is that beam-on to the wind or current can also mean beam-onto the waves, a dangerous or uncomfortable position. Sea anchors not only slow down the rate of drift, they can be used to control the direction the vessel points as it does.

Once you find a spot where the fish are biting, you need to stay there. Whether you’re on a cabin cruiser or a kayak, the right sea anchor will keep you from drifting too quickly, so you can spend your time fishing.

For fishing, lounging or any other time you’re drifting, the sea anchor will help keep your vessel stable.By strategically positioning your sea anchor at the right point you can drift with the bow or stern into the waves.

Sailing vessels in weather that is too rough to raise sails, and motor vessels lacking the power to maintain steerage will benefit from the sea anchor’s power to turn the vessel. As mentioned earlier, positioning the sea anchor at various points along the vessel will adjust its position relative to the wind. You can keep your bow into the waves without having to make headway.