Parachutes

[Talbot]

Previous threads gave a link to parachutes suitable for use (http://armynavymarinestore.com/shop...97e2ce1ed54ea713f84d05&action=S&OBJ=parachute). Does anyone have any experience of these things, stream/recovery/size of cordage/size of parachute/utility that can add to my zero knowledge of them.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[webcraft]

Have a look at

http://www.seaanchor.com/seaanchor.htm

Both are commercial outfits, but may offer some useful information.

- Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com>http://www.bluemoment.com</A></font size=1>

 

[MainlySteam]

The Pardeys have, in my opinion, a very good DVD (maybe tape as well?) called "Storm Tactics" a large part of which is about using parachutes. It can be ordered via their internet site (a Google will pick it up, but if not and you are interested PM me) but is also available retail in the UK (GBP19.95 on the box - possibly the ybw.com store has it).

I have to say that after watching the video, I decided that, with our boat and sailing shorthanded, the risks in hanging over the side deploying a parachute and then recovering it in heavy seas were greater than the safety added through having it deployed. That may not apply for other vessels (I suspect for smaller ones) and larger crews.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that I cannot talk from first hand experience of actual use.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[pwfl]

If you actually read the Pardeys book on storm survival, you will find that cargo parachutes are what they say were always used for the purpose, by fishing boats, & themselves.

As I recall, they only got a Para-anchor or other branded type, relatively recently.

So yes, since the Pardeys seem to be considered the gurus on this subject, I would say that they should work.

I tried to find one at various surplus stores, but couldn't. I did find a parachute that came from a torpedo, which only cost a tenner i think.

I'm not too sure about it though - it's made of this very thin silk type material & the shrouds are quite thin cord (I kind of imagined these cargo parachutes to be a bit tougher I suppose).

Also, it's slightly smaller than the one Para-anchors quoted me for the size of my boat.

I haven't actually got round to trying it out yet.

The £160 that your website is offering them at seems quite excessive in comparison, but then it is what the Pardeys recommend (although they do plug the Paraanchor as the ultimate in sea anchors - I don't suppose they might have got a freebie by any chance??).

I suspect they've worked out that a lot of yachties are after them (contrast with the prices they are offering for other even larger parachutes).

I wouldn't pay £400 for a para anchor, but I suppose I would consider £160 for 1 of these cargo anchors, even though it seems a bit of a rip off.

Quite a bit of cash really, for what it is. But then you never know, it might just save you........

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[hylas]

on my own boat I'm equiped with a "Jordan serie drogue" (www.acesails.com/drogue.htm).. plenty of info about this new improved technik on google at : Jordan drogue

Sorry but up to now.. I didn't have enough bad weather to test it..

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[MeritaII]

Hi, I'm new to this , but when you are talking about parachutes , do you mean a special type of sea anchor , or do you mean parachutes as in 'jumping out of aeroplanes' that might perform a similar function. Well if you mean the latter type I know where there are hundreds of them , ex mod and the guy can't sell them .

We have made nice sun awnings out of one and use some for dust covers and so on , but they are rather large ! It is all I can do to pick one up , let alone drag it out of the sea , it seems illogical , but what do I know, e-mail me if you want to know more, I think he charges about £10 for them , but I would have to check.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

have always been amused by the photo in the advertisements for the Para-Tech sea anchor which appear to depict a yacht lying comfortably to a sea anchor to which it is attached by a rode of the same apparent diameter as its mast!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[vyv_cox]

My understanding of the difference in price is that the ex-forces parachute is just that. The Para-anchor includes the swivel, some warp, deploying bag and other bits and pieces. OK, perhaps you could fit these yourself but do you know the dimensions? Giving Para-anchor the benefit of the doubt, you are paying for some development costs when/if you buy their product.

<hr width=100% size=1>