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A sea anchor is used to assist in heaving-to in very heavy weather and create a disturbance in oncoming waves and cause them to break prior to reaching the boat. This technique is described in detail in the book Storm Tactics Handbook by Lin and Lardy Pardey. A drouge is used when running in heavy weather to avoid being pushed off course by waves or sailing too fast and overtaking breaking waves only to be hit by them.
Purchasing the sea anchor or drouge is easy. The more difficult step is providing the deck gear necessary to deploy them and control chafe. Cleats and line chocks have been added near the bow. Strong and well attached folding eye straps are needed on deck forther aft. Snatch blocks and rode are also needed. It may be possible to use anchor rode and the spring line cleat. One snatch block has been purchased.
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