The Squid fishing industry, tough and cost effective.
31 Squid ParaFish sizes available, ranging from 7.5 metre in diameter up to the extremely large 66-metre diameter model.
Coppins Sea Anchors can be supplied fully equipped, thoroughly tested and ready for use. Additionally, we carry a full range of accessories for use with Sea Anchors and Drogues.
The Coppins team has designed and constructed these anchors so the entire piece of fabric is used to its fullest potential. Large para anchors are a substantial investment, so every square centimeter has been designed to work hard. We are fully capable of custom making a Squid ParaFish and related deployment systems to suit a specific vessel or captain's application or desires. Please contact us with your questions and requirements and we can recommend a system or custom build to your specifications.
At first it was a case of understanding the hydrodynamics of water and the currents and forces that are created, then designing and shaping the para anchor so the hydrodynamics would work with the para anchor to create maximum drag.
It was not just a case of holding volumes of water to create drag, it was the shaping of the para anchor to direct water movement creating pressure in front and eddies in the back of the para anchor. Much like an airplane wing creates maximum lift, Coppins Para Anchors create maximum drag.
The understanding of hydrodynamics made a more effective para anchor. It also made it cost efficient, reducing the total weight, making it more user-friendly and eliminating pressure points to make an overall stronger product. In this industry a ParaFish Para Anchor is just as important as the gear that catches the squid. The para anchor is used to stay on station while jigging for squid, reducing drift to an absolute minimum. This allows the boat to stay over the fishing ground with minimal fuel use. The para anchor will also reduce roll and pitch, making for better working conditions on board.
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This high tenacity ripstop fabric is specially designed for the Coppins ParaFish™ Sea Anchor and is the strongest nylon developed to date for sea anchor applications. All panels are cut in a specific way to maximise the strength of the finished sea anchor. This multiplies their strength, yet allows the ParaFish to stretch and move in the direction of the forces in extreme conditions. This makes the ParaFish stronger than other anchors sea anchor on the market.
The recovery float is made in four sizes from specially made, light but strong high tensile outer covering with double internal bladder to prevent sinking if one of the bladders loses air. This is very important in setting or recovering a sea anchor and helps to keep the trip line free of the main rode, reducing chances of fouling or tangling.
Made from braided nylon which doesn't want to unlay like other three strand rope. The nylon has more give than other types of rope, reducing the strain on both boat and sea anchor acting as a natural spring. All rodes come set up ready to use with stainless steel thimbles spliced in.
Used to collapse and retrieve the sea anchor. Made from floating polypropylene rope, allowing the line to float on the surface between the float and vessel, ensuring the line does not sink, foul or tangle with anchor shrouds or rode.
A line attached to center or throat of the sea anchor and runs up the float. It is a very important part of the set-up, especially in larger anchors. All shackles must be checked and wired regularly.
A weight placed just back from the bottom of sea anchor end helps to sink and set the para anchor quickly after deployment. It keeps the drop line straight and out of the way of the sea anchor. The Coppins designed weight is built around the drop line, and is a smooth soft synthetic covering that does not need shackles. It's user-friendly and fitted in our factory.
The Squid ParaFish has a unique adjustable throat, produced to meet the demands of commercial fishing. The adjustable throat, unique to Coppins Sea Anchors is designed to control drift of fishermen at sea and can be closed or opened to adjust drift to keep the fleet of different sized boats drifting at the same rate, allowing them to combine their lighting systems to maximise efficiency. The adjustable throat is also extremely valuable in storm conditions, permitting the vessel to control the forces at play on the sea anchor.
These sea anchors have to be serviced from time to time because of their long life and heavy work loads. The Coppins Squid ParaFish system streamlines this process. As an example; the tied shroud system makes replacement a quick and economical process, minimising down time and getting you back to fishing as soon as possible.
Scenario; The crew has a rough night without a sea anchor and the next morning feeling tired and having to return to the fishing grounds.
To give you an example, a boat can drift up to 2.5 knots per hour. Over seven hours that would amount to 20 miles or 32 km drift. If for example the cruising speed of the fishing boat is 10 knots that equates to nearly two hours good fishing time wasted every morning, and on top of that, the fuel and running costs of the boat. It would amount to thousands of dollars over a season. In fact some fisherman have paid for their ParaFish Sea Anchor in just two trips.