UK Sailmakers Drogue Steering

[@glenbaker5311]

Nothing is perfect, even more so in evel water but it is nice that this is one more opportunity to have in saving your or yours trulys life and maybe get your boat back under control,, Thxs for posting and trying to get better ways to boat more safely,,, gb

[@tiagorinckcaveden4114]

Really interesting. Even if you don't have a proper sea anchor, a dinghy with its engine down or even some buckets might be a good improvisation! I had thought about this once but it hadn't occurred to me to make the lines pass by the mid cleat. Cool.

[@ParaAnchors]

Its smart to test equipment in calm seas before working your way up to rougher conditions. This allows you to make adjustments if you notice a potential problem. Like some of you mention in the comments. If storm drogues, para-anchors, and accessories are designed for storm use; then the equipment should handle emergency steering in a storm.

[@seanfawcett]

Nice Work, Michael! Everyone who sails offshore should see this!

[@TheNewCarWash]

Thank you for sharing this information. I am new to sailing but will make certain that I have this setup on my boat!

[@BlockchainToTheFace]

Now try it when there’s 3” to 30’ waves. You’re testing it in perfect barefoot skiing conditions

[@NihonDream]

Thank you Adam! Brilliant and simple idea!

[@jmeijer8440]

I noticed that whilst this is in relative calm weather that especially when turning either direction the guide ropes are floating dangerously close to the under side of the hull near the prop. My two bits worth, would it not be safer to add some polystyrene floats unto the guide lines to minimize any prop entanglement.

[@ParaAnchors]

At the 7:35 mark the starboard rode is underneath the hull. This would likely lead to a tangled prop or the rode getting stuck in between the rudder and the hull. Assuming the weather is rough. Adding stopper lines or blocks near the stern to raise the bridle can reduce this problem. And yes, you can add floats, but does require an extra step.

[@timstich6801]

Very cool. This could have saved that poor family that abandoned their sailboat just last month in the Atlantic.

[@ericson26savannah86]

A small drogue be the next purchase! Great info thank you

[@todaysrealhealth8038]

Thank you for showing that even in simple waters it’s very difficult. So please be prepared for it to happen in high swells and open oceans. It does and it did. A family with kids was rescued by a private sailing / charter Tilly Mint, with a amazing crew on board in the Atlantic. Thank you also for the cargo ship trying to do what they could.

[@FubarGuy666]

Thank you for a great video. Please could you make a video of "drogue steering" by towing an old blanket in case somebody doesn't have or has lost their drogue.

[@Monicaeloo]

Thanks for sharing, this is very cool video! I will test it One quick question, I'm planning to test it first time with engine. How can I avoid have the rope stuck with the propeller? I see the rope goes almost under the boat when tacking.

[@UK-Sailmakers-International]

If you are going to try this with the engine, I suggest having some in a dingy set the drogue in the water after you put the boat in gear. This should reduce the chance of fouling the prop with the drogue steering lines.

[@jhyacinth]

Really terrific video. Can you say more about: a) attachment points--how do you know that in heavy seas the snatch blocks can handle the massive loads; and b) avoiding fouling the propeller--it almost seemed that in tight turns the lines would foul the prop.

[@aarons.stuffs]

Curious if this will work if your rudder is stuck hard over?

[@ParaAnchors]

Yes. If the rudder is stuck hard over to port, then you place the storm drogue on the starboard side. Usually the storm drogue has to be near the boat to be effective.

[@aarons.stuffs]

@@ParaAnchors Roger that. Great info, thank you!🥂

[@alegkyy]

Thank you!!!

[@svzigzag5898]

Brilliant

[@jeanlouisjabale3911]

Great information !

[@johnritchie2607]

Very impressive

[@samuelmurphy5348]

I think I get the concept, it'd be great to have a diagram with some measurements. Although in the clutch offshore it's something one would figure out.

[@FubarGuy666]

Good question, but every boat is different so have a fun day out experimenting to see what setup works best for your particular boat. Also try towing an old blanket to simulate losing or forgetting your drogue. That way if you lose your steering you already know how to set everything up and your crew understands everything they need to do.

[@pierrevanhalteren5733]

A watched this video already several years ago and equipped my boat as to make this possible in case of rudder failure, now the issue with this technique or any technique supposed to be used in case of loss of rudder is that one one knows if it works unless a trial is made like this one with Chasseur, that is by having the rudder removed in the yard to start with. This is of course not realistic as we cannot expect people to make such extensive sea trials before leaving for a long cruise. I nevertheless this technique to be effective and wish it was better known and also that successful uses of this technique in real distress situations are reported.

[@jefflindner3320]

thank you. helpful.

[@phillipallen1305]

What great information. I just watched the Swiss Boat, HILMA, fighting trying to sail without their rudder. They had a sea anchor, but it wasn't rigged like this. I think they would have done so much better if they had known this procedure. I hope all the sailing classes and ocean race programs will recommend this method in the future.

[@allanlarsson3005]

Phillip Allen swedish boat, just saying. 😀

[@theogdirkdiggler]

Awesome, but in high seas this application may not be a viable solution to saving your boat or others lives.

[@BillSikes.]

Boats are fine in high seas unless they've been holed, its usually the crew that gives up due to panic,

[@jmrioux66]

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