Using a drift-chute/drogue/sea-anchor on an A.I.

Hi guys,

Just wondering if any other A.I. owners use a drift-chute/sea-anchor on their A.I. (I'm thinking of using one while fishing offshore).

I don't have an anchor trolley and really don't want to install one (there are more than enough ropes and lines as it is!).

I'm thinking that just typing-off to one of the aka crossbars would be the best way, but am unsure as to the best wasy
of attaching it.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Mike.

I've used one in the past. You need a small one. Amazon list several: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Asea%20anchor Also, West Marine: http://www.westmarine.com/buy/lindy-little-joe--18-fishing-drogue--15799257

Over the years I've learned the areas I fish, so that I don't use the drift method much any more.

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I use Hobie's chute with my TI. Started out just tying it to an aka right up against the knuckle. Worked facing upwind or downwind, using front or rear aka, though it did mean the TI was at a slight angle to the wind. Wasn't too bad, but there's still some rocking from the waves.

I found for a longer time drifting or anchored I greatly prefer getting straight into the wind as much as possible, far less rocking. I originally used an idea from someone on here using a traveller line to the bow but that only gets me pointed upwind. Finally just put a trolley on the port side of the main hull so I can go either way. I often feel like there's too many ropes on my TI as well, the main reason I didn't like the traveller line I tried first, but the trolley turns out to be a non-issue, it's completely out of the way on the side of the hull so I don't even notice it's there.

With a drift sock you drift at about 1 mph and sometimes that can be annoying when fishing. Sometimes an anchor serves me better when it's a viable option. It you tie the drift sock off at the crossbar, you will drift at an angle at around 45 degrees to the waves.

If you find 45 degrees unacceptable, there is an option. I use a trick Tony Scott posted where you run a line (sorry, bad word) tied to the crossbar out to the pad eye, back to a loop tied in the first 5 feet of anchor rope. The anchor rope is tied to the crossbar as well. When you throw the anchor overboard, you just pull on the trolley line and it directs the anchor line to the bow. Pull everything up- the mirage drive, dagger board and rudder because these will otherwise turn the boat sideways as you drift.

I use crossbars to tie off for drift socks but is use a shock absorbing system for a standard anchor.

I might be able to post a video later showing Tony's ideat in action. At least I think this is what Tony was describing in his post.

_________________
Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

One thing you might try if you want to eliminate trolley lines, is to tie a line so that the drift sock line bifurcates 4 ft before being tied off at each end of the crossbar. This might keep the anchor line lined up with the bow without being attached to the bow. That bow hitch knott would be ideal for tying the one line to the other as it is adjustable at any time.

_________________
Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I already have an automatic anchor system for my guardian (edit)G7 anchor, has anyone tried just clipping a chute to the anchor line with a carabiner. In deeper water just pay out the anchor about ten ft letting it dangle, I would think the chute would catch (might even pull the chute deeper with the weight of the anchor into calmer water). Just a thought, trying to simplify things on my deck.
FE

Clever FE. I'm going to give that a go and see what happens.

_________________
Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Unless you are drifting along at a good clip, I think it will go straight to the bottom. As Fusioneng would say, "Just my 2 cents."

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Keith you beat me to that post. Yes, even thought the anchor won't rest on the bottom, it will direct the drift sock under you boat and you will not be able to maintain any forward tension on the anchor line. Don't think I will try that.

_________________
Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

*Groan*, yes! Can't tell you how many times I'm trying to figure out why I keep going sideways... And I've forgotten either the rudder or the centerboard!

Mike,
For anchoring I fitted a small nylon fair lead to the bow. It could be stern mounted as well and should work with a drift chute. It avoids having to fit an anchor trolley and doesn't need any extra holes drilled as it attaches to the bow pad eye. More info in my post at the end of this topic: viewtopic.php?f=71&t=51246&p=235803

I'm just guessing here but I suspect at least on my boat it will make little difference drag wise if the chute is open 8 ft under water or on the surface. My anchor trolley already guides the anchor line 3 ft behind the boat and I have that giant symmetric wing ( the size of a piper cub wing) standing upright at the tip of the bowsprit just weathervaning 360 degrees in front of the boat (25 ft away) which should keep the boat straight and aligned tail into the wind even with the mirage drives and rudder down.
The wing has an added bonus feature because I always know the exact apparent wind direction (just like the weathervane on top of a barn (lol), works even better than the pirate flag on top of my mast topper.
Actually I think it will be the perfect setup for drift diving in the gulfstream (my wifes favorite thing to do), hoping to be able to drift at the same speed as the divers (makes finding them way easier (lol)), . Currently I drift way faster.
FE

My drift-chute arrived the other day...

It's made of a fairly heavy-duty PVC, that is mesh-reinforced (the mesh is moulded right instead the fabric).

The webbing is also very tough and the whole thing looks to be very well made.

As for the size...

Kevlar mate, kevlar
PS bl**dy mail order... that hat is way too big!

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker