A New Paradigm for Cruising

Drogues

Hi Steve, I’ve got a Sea Brake drogue and am looking at rigging up the lines to tow it… The manufacturers data sheet that came with it said to use polypropylene …I talked to my rigger and he said “What ? that’s nuts….I think you need 3 strand nylon or polyester to give some stretch and give for the load” I contacted the Sea Brake folk and they said …no don’t use polyprop, use braided polyester …correct me if I’m wrong but that’s what our jib sheets are and they are low stretch.. So now I’m a bit confused… BTW the Sea Brake is a canvas-like material which is tapered at each end with gaps in the sides aft of the largest dia and a hole at the aft end… I’d be interested to know what you think Best regards to you and Linda All the best Alan
Hi Alan: We have no direct experience in heavy weather with drogues, but have investigated these at length and experimented with them. My instinct would be to go with with the manufacturer suggests. Our dock lines and drogue and para anchor rodes on Wind Horse are all Spectra blend, so low stretch. But of course you need strong attachment points.

Posted by Steve Dashew  (March 5, 2010)




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