Re: [Paddlewise] Offshore winds and currents.

Sisler, Clyde wrote:
> 
> Rich's comments below are a stron argument for using a sea anchor or
> drogue.  I have a Driftstopper that I stopped carrying with me years
> -------------
> 
> How small do they stow and how tough are they to deploy (how many hands)?

The Driftstopper is left ready on your foredeck for deployment.  It fits
neatly inside a long sheath.

That sheath is secured with a snap hook to a bow fitting on one end. 
The other end of the sheath can be attached around the coaming or to a
deck fitting near you.  This latter end has adjustable webbing to
accomodate various sizes of boats.  This webbing end also has a velcro
loop to hold the 20 or 30 feet of line for the Driftstopper.

Now back to the sea anchor itself.  It is inside that sheath.  At the
front or top of the sea anchor is a long line with a float on it.  You
run that line and float to somewhere near you where you can grab it in a
hurry.

To deploy, and this can all be done with one hand: 1) loosen the velco
loop holding the bulk of the sea anchor's  line; 2) pull on the float to
extract the sea anchor from the forward end of the sheath.  The
Driftstopper drops into the water, your boat drifts backwards the length
of the sea anchor's line and you feel you boat stop dead almost to the
point of neck whiplash!!!

Retrieval?  Pull in the sea anchor's line.  The anchor goes neatly into
its sheath through a large ring (the diameter of a coffee can top) that
automatically compresses it in.  You then paddle up to grab the float
end and place it somewhere near you again.  You gather the sea anchor
line and run it into the velcroed loop.  If you were in a hurry, you
could just jam that line into deck bungee.

I mentioned I made every mistake in the book when I first tried using
it.  For example, just throwing out the float into the water without
pulling the sea anchor out;  I looked pretty silly being pushed
backwards by the wind with a trailing float.  Or forgetting to let the
sea anchor line loose from its velcro holder.  It isn't
complicated...I'm just dumb.

ralph diaz
> 
> The main difference between the two, I think, is a sea anchor trails off the
> bow and pretty much stops progress while a drouge trails off the stern and
> only slows you down (a lot).  Which is a safer, more comfortable, less
> strenuous ride in steep, dangerous waves?

I am not sure there is a technical difference between drogue and sea
anchor.  I think, in general, you are better off facing into the wind
than having your back toward it.  Certainly you have more control of the
anchor facing it.  I suppose you could rig it to flow out behind you but
it would be difficult.

ralph diaz
-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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