Need to Buy a Sea Anchor but Confused . . .

[frankieboy]

i was told to buy a sea anchor... now when i typed in the usual websites i was struck with a huge range of things under the title 'sea anchor'...
ebay for example has 22 results sea anchor items - Get great deals on Water Sports, Outdoor Sports items on eBay.com!
and twenga has 314!!! Sea Anchor - Shopping Search Engine - Twenga.com
now i am not only without a sea anchor and in need of one but also very confused... please could someone help me? you may have already guessed that i am new to boating...! help me not look like a fool please??!!

[ViribusUnitis]

Who told you you need a sea anchor, and why do you need it?

Also, what kind of boat do you have?

Understand that a sea anchor is one of a number of tools that are useful in surviving very heavy weather conditions. It doesn't work all that well for all boats. And if your that new to boating, why would you be going out in such weather that might need a sea anchor?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by frankieboy

i was told to buy a sea anchor... now when i typed in the usual websites i was struck with a huge range of things under the title 'sea anchor'...
ebay for example has 22 results sea anchor items - Get great deals on Water Sports, Outdoor Sports items on eBay.com!
and twenga has 314!!! Sea Anchor - Shopping Search Engine - Twenga.com
now i am not only without a sea anchor and in need of one but also very confused... please could someone help me? you may have already guessed that i am new to boating...! help me not look like a fool please??!!

I would suggest reading; books that describe sailing and how to manage heavy weather. As others said, it is very rare that a sea anchor is the right answer for a coastal sailor. That said, there could be and many carry them.

It is VERY DIFFICULT for forum readers to offer real help without more information; what sort of boat, sailed where. These things make a major difference.

I posted some information here; I have no idea if it applies, not knowing the boat or waters, but perhaps there are some ideas and some links you can use.
Sail Delmarva: Drogue and Parachute Sea Anchor Testing: A Summary for Small to Medium Cruising Catamarans

[Eleven]

There are two degrees of sea anchor due to loose terminology.
First is a sea brake designed to control boat speed when trawled behind the boat. It improves ride and safety in heavy seas.
Second is to lock the boat on the water,usually deployed over the bows and in a lee shore situation, again in heavy seas where sailing or motoring out of the situation is difficult or impossible.
There's lots on this site about 'Drogues' and 'Sea Anchors'. Find a manufacturer, give them the boat size and type and you'll get their conservative estimate.

[rebel heart]

If you're up for some reading, this is "the" book on heavy weather sailing and documents various methods and strategies employed by different types of boats. Suprisingly easy to read but also very informative.

Amazon.com: Adlard Coles' Heavy Weather Sailing, Sixth Edition (9780071592901): Peter Bruce: Books: Reviews, Prices & more