Click HERE to enlarge image...

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. Para-Anchors Australia's 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-Droque test results.

• BOAT SPEED DRAG
• 5 knots 265kg
• 7 knots 480kg
• 9 knots 890kg

Emergency steering with a para drogue

Para-Anchors Australia's Para-Drogue has been approved by the Australian Yachting Federation as an Emergency Steering Device under regulation 15-12, 1995. On a multi-hull, a bridle is required to be able to vary the drag position on the after end of the boat. A similar effect can be achieved on a monohull by strapping a spinnaker pole across the transom and rigging a bridle through the end fittings back to the primary winches, allowing easy steerage.

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."

Towing with the drogue

Under normal circumstances, especially with a sea running, a towed vessel can easily overrun the towing vessel or at least be directionally unstable. When the towed vessel in turn tows a Para-Drogue, towing steerage and manageability becomes a breeze.

Click HERE to enlarge image...

How to order.

Write, fax or e-mail your vessel's specifications including type (trimaran, catamaran, displacement cruiser, planing hull), class, length, draft, displacement, description of superstructure and most importantly the underwater configuration.

Warranty.

Para-Anchors Australiamarine products have a warranty period of 4 years from date of purchase. Should any product manufactured by Para- Anchors Australia fail due to faulty workmanship or materials- Para-Anchors Australiaat its option would, repair or replace the product, or provide the purchaser with a full refund In the unlikely event that the purchaser encounters such a problem, simply return the Product, postage paid to, Para Anchors Australia, P 0 Box 1377, Sale 3850, and we will remedy the problem in a prompt manner.

PAF 100 undergoing final inspection.

Para-Anchors Australia is an Australian owned company with all products proudly developed and manufactured in Australia.