Saga47swan Sailingvideo
Jordan Series Drogue - Deployment & Retrieval - Heavy Weather Storm Tactic
February 14, 2025 · 7 min · 13K views
What this video covers
A Jordan Series drogue deployment and retrieval practice run aboard the Swan 47 *Saga*, covering the full procedure from storage to recovery. The drogue — 186 small cones on a single line — is stored midship on deck in blue-water passage mode, with bridle lines pre-attached to stern chain plates and secured by cable ties that break on deployment.3:16 The crew deploys cone-end first (closest to the boat), so no load comes onto the drogue during the run-out, and confirms the bridle stays clear of transom gear.3:48 For retrieval, a dedicated retrieval line runs from the bridle end to a primary winch; a fender guides the cones away from cleats and guardrails.5:35 The full retrieval takes under 30 minutes.6:19 The skipper explains the tactic's context: a Force 9 in the Bay of Biscay during a late October 2022 crossing forced the crew to ride out breaking seas under trysail because the newly installed drogue had never been practiced.1:55 The book *Heavy Weather Sailing* by Martin Thomas and Peter Bruce is cited as essential pre-offshore reading.1:01 Deploying cone-end first and rigging a retrieval line before departure are the two concrete procedural lessons confirmed by the practice run.5:53
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