Ocean Rowing/Kayaking

Designed for:

Small ocean rowing vessels, stabilising vessel as well as providing safety in a storm or during periods of rest

Specific Uses:

Holds the bow into the wind reducing breaching and rolling as well a controlling drift enabling rest and repairs.

What ocean rowing is all about by Sean Quincey

For thousands of years the oceans of the world have been sailed across but only in the past 60 or so years has rowing across the oceans of the world come into its own. Many enthusiasts would suggest the beginning of modern ocean rowing can be linked to Chay Blyth and John Ridgway 1966 crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. The pair spent 92 Days battling the elements of the North Atlantic in a small dory named the English Rose 3 lighting a fire within many ocean rowers after penning the book "A Fighting Chance".

In 1971 a man by the name of Tom McClean successfully rowed the Atlantic solo taking 70 days following this John Fairfax and Sylvia Cook spent an epic 357 Days rowing the Britannia 2 from the USA to Australia. Finally Colin Quincey departed from New Zealand in 1977 rowing the Tasman Sea reaching Australia after 63 Days on one of the worlds most treacherous stretches of water.  The concept of ocean rowing was well and truly tested in the 1970's setting the stage for the Atlantic ocean rowing race the first of which would be run in 1997. 30 crews entered the grueling trans Atlantic challenge and it was won by Rob Hamil and Phil Stubbs a New Zealand pair in a time of 41 days ! Different oceans and stretches of water around the world are now being rowed with records being set and broken almost every year and there would be very few vessels without a para anchor on board.  

Sea Anchors are an essential and potentially lifesaving piece of equipment to have on an ocean rowing boat. Unlike a yacht or power boat there is no escaping bad weather. An ocean rowing boat and its crew simply have to ride the storm out and to do it safely sea anchors are an absolute must.

There are 3 main uses for the para anchor when ocean rowing:

1) Mitigate loses caused by wind and waves

A sea anchor is deployed when there are adverse conditions pushing the vessel backwards or large swell throwing the vessel around. A sea anchor deployed correctly will swing the appropriate end of the vessel into the oncoming wind or waves to slow negative drift or allow the vessel to slice through an oncoming wave rather than the wave dumping onto or flipping the vessel. With the anchor deployed, an ocean rower can get some much needed sleep knowing the vessel is safe.  

2) Safe Surfing

When there are large swells or strong winds going in a positive direction there is always the likelihood that a rouge wave or big set could potentially pitch pole a vessel (flip end over end) as it surfs uncontrollably down the face of a wave. A small sea anchor or drogue can be deployed from the stern of a vessel to ensure that benefit is still gained from the positive flowing conditions and the vessel is surfing in a significantly safer and more comfortable manner.     

3) Taking advantage of currents

From time to time a sea anchor can be deployed to pull a vessel along in a positive direction. In certain conditions where there is a slight breeze in the wrong direction a sea anchor can be deployed if the currents below the surface of the water are moving towards your destination.