[PUP] Heavy Weather tactics

[PRINTMORE1@aol.com]

"My current thinking is to buy both, perhaps experiment once with their  use,
pack them away, and then work hard to ensure they are never used  again."

REPLY: When we trained ourselves for our transatlantic trip way  back in 1984 
we thought the same way. It took over a week to learn the proper  techniques 
to deploy and retrieve the sea anchor. Our first try ended up with  the boat 
and us getting tangled up. Fortunately we were able to laugh that one  off. 
Subsequent tries became better and finally we perfected the technique. All  this 
in fairly good weather. The real test though was in poorer weather and  seas. 
When we passed that test we then repacked the anchor and secured it and  then 
hoped we would never need it again. In our case we never did use it  
afterwards as King Neptune looked after us.
 The drogues were easier to deploy but if I remember correctly it  still took 
a half dozen tries to perfect that technique.
  I would agree with you that working hard to avoid using sea  anchor/drogues 
is the way to go but that includes perfecting a technique for you  and your 
boat. I really doubt that one try is all you would require. Regards.  Leonard 
Stern, INDIFFERENCE