450: Jordan Series Drogue Launch and Recover Lagoon 450

[UNCIVILIZED]

For those new to drogues (& sea anchors) or that haven't seen it, take a look at Victor shane's Drag Device Data Base Victor Shane's Drag Device Data Base | Using Parachutes, Sea Anchors and Drogues to Cope with Heavy Weather – Over 130 Documented Case Histories
It's a document with lots, & lots of info on drogues. Including many, many types, their performance when used on a multiplicity of craft, & specific designs within a craft type. As well as the multiple types of drogues & sea anchors out there.

Also, unless things have changed recently, there's a document associated with the various common drogues out there which specifies how strong the attachment points for a drogue need to be. And it specifically mentions that for truly proper attachment, you'll want to have a purpose built set of "chainplates" for attaching the bridle to. Wherein it specifies how strong, & of what material to make them. The amount of extra laminate that should be added to a hull where they're bolted. And how many, & what size bolts to use to attach them to the hull.

This is due to the fact that in a big storm, when a drogue is fully loaded up, the loads on the bridle legs & chainplates can run close to the weight of the vessel. So that just connecting a drogue or sea anchor to regular deck cleats or winches could be insufficient. As could the strength of the laminate to which many cleats & winches are bolted. Especially those with at best meager backing plates. So it's worth doing some homework on this stuff. Along with trying out the gear that you have.

[Suijin]

I have a 36" Galerider, a 20' length of 3/8" chain, and 2 200' coils of 3/4" double braid for deployment. I had always assumed it would do on one of my large aft cleats, or to one of the primaries, but have never tested it under full on gale force loads. I'll need to investigate. One concern is that whether it goes to one or the other it will need to go through a hawsepipe and chafe is a significant concern.