para-anchor or drouge?

[Catalina Kids]

if you only had room and money for just one, which would you take cruising, a para-anchor or a drouge? The boat is a 1979 Catalina 38. She does hove to pretty well and sails well to weather. I'd like to be able to slow her down in a gale while running downwind to Southern Mexico from Los Angeles, that part of the trip will be done in one leg. I'd like to be able to "stop and rest" while doing the "Baja Bash", on the way back, without loosing too much ground if the seas and wind are up too much to make time.

Dumb Question: Can a para-anchor be deployed off of the stern? or a drouge off of the bow? is there anyway to kill 2 birds with one stone? I've had no chance to try either one.

[Rikava]

Neither........Key word, you said you are cruising, not voyaging. Don't waste your money.
Deploying is easy, getting it back on board is hard. Borrow one and practice, if you feel you have to have one. L&L Pardey have written alot about them..........but then again they are voyagers.

[PaulL]

The purpose of the Sea Anchor is to stop the boat moving backward. The purpose of the drougue is to slow the boat moving forward. They will be considerably different in size, so you can't have one that fits both purposes. For a littler weight, fin keel boat like I assume yours is, you will probably be better off using the drogue and running off at a controllable speed and actively steering the boat. Google Jordan Drogue and read up on it. You should get some good info. Remember, you aren't rounding the Horn and you don't have a heavy, full keel boat like the Pardys. For more modern designs, drogues seem to be more the preferred direction.

[KIMBERLITE]

I have deployed a Jordan series drogue in a storm. AWESOME !!!
I have also bought one for my new boat. I wouldn't leave home without having it on board.
Skip thre gail rider and any other drogue. Just the Jordan series drogue. Ace Sailmakers in Connecticut makes them or you can also buy the makings from Sail Rite.
fair winds,
eric
amel Sm Kimberlite

[Catalina Kids]

Thanks everyone, it looks like the Jordan Series Drogue is the way to go.