Is a sea anchor a worthwhile safety investment?

[KnotConnected]

I have a single I/O in the Cabrio, and I often worry about something going wrong in heavier weather and losing power (and thus, steerage). Is a sea anchor something that'd be wise to deploy to keep the bow into the waves and the boat safe in the event that I lose the engine in some heavy chop?

 

[shrew]

It would be nice to have to reduce to rolling motion in a heavy beam-to sea. It would have to be one heck of a rough day to start risking capsize. What conditions would you consider NOT heading out in? For example, I would not expect to need a sea anchor in 4-6 ft seas.

 

[KnotConnected]

I'm a paranoid, anxiety ridden weenie when it comes to seamanship, so I generally play it safe and don't leave the slip if conditions show the least sign of concern.

That being said, I've left for the 70 mile trip from Green Bay up to Door County, and have had the wind pick up and chop set in half-way up. We got caught in some choppy rollers a year ago and shipped wave right over the windshield the whole way up, despite throttling back to 8-10 MPH. I can't imagine those conditions going well i lost directional control and those waves start coming up over the transom.

Am I too paranoid? Seems like a $300 I'd gladly spend if such a scenario comes up and it'll let me keep the bow into the waves until help arrives.

 

[alldodge]

IMO the more safety equipment the better, provided it does not become more of a problem having it or using it would change little. If your in the ocean or great lakes I could say it could be useful.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Make sure you know your potential rough seas when selecting your rode

 

[fhhuber]

Could be worth having if somehow things go bad.

Chances of needing it are not high if you pay attention to the weather and maintain the boat well... but the weather is not 100% predictable and things can break down with no warning.

If you go where it might be needed, I'd recommend having it.

You hope to never need the life jackets but you bought them anyway, because needing them and not having them would be fatal. That is the way with almost all of your safety equipment. You hope you never need it.

 

[H20Rat]

Am I too paranoid? Seems like a $300 I'd gladly spend if such a scenario comes up and it'll let me keep the bow into the waves until help arrives.

Not sure what sea anchor you were looking at, but $300?? Mistype maybe? You can get a drift sock on here for $30.

 

[tpenfield]

It is one of those things. . . If you are asking the question, then it is probably worth it.

 

[Chris1956]

I have one in my boat. I use it to slow the drift when fishing. It has some positive effect. I would expect it would be a good idea for the reasons the OP cited, although, I have never needed to use it as such.

 

[airdvr1227]

In skydiving we have a saying. "better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here". Better to have it and not need it...

 

[Ned L]

Keep in mind that what many people use while drift fishing is not a true sea anchor. A sea anchor is much larger, and a quite substantial thing.

 

[KnotConnected]

Thanks for all the help! I'll certainly scoop one up this spring. I was just looking for that "Dear God don't use a sea anchor in a storm, you'll shoot your eye out" or some other consideration I hadn't taken into account.

(is it spring yet?)

 

[alldodge]

(is it spring yet?)

It was two weeks ago for 5 days

 

[NYBo]

Not sure what sea anchor you were looking at, but $300?? Mistype maybe? You can get a drift sock on here for $30.

Even a large, sturdy bucket, properly attached, will help keep the bow pointed into the wind.

 

[fhhuber]

Even a large, sturdy bucket, properly attached, will help keep the bow pointed into the wind.

Very effective for a small aluminum boat... Not so much for a large boat.

If its worth dropping a sea anchor.. it might be worth thinking about letting the actual anchor hang on the end of the anchor line, so when you drift closer to shore it might keep you off the rocks.
Situations vary...

 

[Ned L]

Not sure what sea anchor you were looking at, but $300?? Mistype maybe? You can get a drift sock on here for $30.

Ahh,... As I mentioned above, this is the difference between a recreational fishing accessory (drift sock) and a piece of safety equipment that you are potentially betting your life on (sea anchor).