A Sea anchor, also called a drogue, is an essential part of your boat's safety equipment. They are used to slow down your boat or liferaft when you are facing strong winds or heavy seas. Moreover they will ensure your boat turns so as to face into or away from the waves. A sea anchor can also be used to keep your boat as stationary as possible and not be affected by the wind, very useful when you are fishing or swimming in waters too deep to anchor.
Instructions of use : Made of strong-coated PVC, the drogue is open at both ends and includes lines that create two loops at the front and one loop at the end. The sea anchor (drogue) is tied to the boat's bow (B) with the use of a rope, which should be of at least five (5) times the boat's length (A). Tied to the bow of the boat, the rope is passed through the two loops of the drogue's front lines, creating a tight knot (C). The larger the size of your drogue (larger opening), the bigger its effectiveness will be. In order to pull the drogue out of the water you should tie a second rope at the end loop of the drogue (D) - pulling this rope will allow the drogue to be pulled out of from the water. To warn and prevent other boats from running over the ropes of your drogue, you may use a floating buoy (E) that may be tied to the secondary rope. Drogues should never be used for permanent anchorage.
Attention: Boat length gives a general guide for the required size of drogue. However, your choice should based also on weight, keel of boat, even on the intended use of sea anchor.