Tim Good
Well-known member
So..... is it reasonable to say that when we buy a drogue ( Jordan series or 'Jimmy Green' single) we must fit a set of drogue 'chain plates' or risk loosing anything we attach the drogue to?
Interesting to read the comments on securing tow rope bridles and 'sharing' the load etc. I have always wondered how this is achieved. As we all know a single turn around a cleat is enough to absorb most of any load.
Also I guess that when chain plates are fitted as originally designed equipment the hull area strength will have been assessed/beefed up
From my reading, the loads on a single drogue are, "in most cases", much less than a JSD. A single would be regarded as a way to slow down and let you steer. A JSD is a hands off approach which you go below and hang tight.
Additionally and from reported experiences, chafe is a much bigger issue so leading lines over, under and around things is not great. Cases have been shown where JSDs are deployed for multiple days, so chain plates overhanging the stern limits that risk to almost zero. We then only need to concern ourselves with the strength of the chain plates to which I'm still non the wiser.
I have equal numbers of people saying my 10mm solid layup hull is totally capable of withstanding the loads, given a good size chain plate and backing plate. The other half say I need substantial reinforcement is required, with various ideas of how to do this.
Thanks to all on this thread for their advice and views.
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