[PUP] Series Drogue

[Philip Eslinger]

Ken,

You bring up some excellent points concerning the size of your new  
boat.   After doing much research into series drogues and para  
anchors, I elected to go with the Jordan Series Drogue on Flat  
Earth.  During the design process, I was fortunate to be able to talk  
to Don Jordan himself who is now over 90 years old.  Since my boat is  
an 80,000 pound boat, I thought that my series drogue would be  
similar to what was posted on the web site for a 70,000 lb boat  
(which was the largest boat they listed).  Not so!  Don noted that  
the design for those boats was actually for a 70,000 lb sail boat and  
that a larger drogue would be needed for a flat stern power boat.  My  
drogue ended up being 490' long as opposed to 370' for the 70,000 lb  
sailboat.  I can't imaging how long and big a series drogue for your  
200,000 lb boat would be.  I think you'll have similar problems  
getting a properly sized para anchor for your boat that will not rip  
apart under the stresses.

Posted below are some of the web sites that I used during my research  
including the site for Ace Sail Makers who manufactured my drogue.   
Mike Maurice has also done extensive research on the subject.  It was  
his knowledgeable posts several years ago that first got me to look  
at the Jordan Series
Drogue.  Please note that the Galerider Drogue and the Series drogues  
are two very different animals used under different circumstances.  I  
am also considering adding a towed drogue such as the Galerider to my  
safety equipment.


http://www.jordanseriesdrogue.com/D_4_m1.htm

http://www.jordanseriesdrogue.com/

http://www.dddb.com/links.html

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/galerider.html

Phil Eslinger
Flat Earth N50
Ko Olina, Hi