Great question - I've often wondered the same thing. Watching this thread with interest.

 

Yes it does work, throw it off the bow. needn't be on a long rope; just long enough to submerge.
We use them in Norway mainly to slow our drift to an optimal 0.9 - 1 knot.
slows down tide drift and wind drift.
But always REMEMBER to retrieve it before you motor off.

 

But always REMEMBER to retrieve it before you motor off.

Do you want to own up to something on the boating blunders thread Ken?

 

We used to use a big plastic bucket tied to rope to slow our speed.

 

I used the bucket trick on the orkney whilst drifting and I use a proper drogue occasionally to stop the latest boat yawing at anchor, the merry fisher is short and has a fair amount of windage so a drogue fished from the rear keeps it all nice and straight and steady.

 

I used to use a sandbag on a rope when drifting in my Zodiac, could adjust the sand to adjust the drift speed, a drogue depends on wind and tide direction.

 

To slow my drift I don't anti foul or clean my bottom!

Very hairy down there!

 

In a big tide it is the water that is moving with the boat in it so no drogue will make any difference. A drogue will slow wind drift. If you slow the drift with a sandbag your lines will no longer be up and down they will stream out with the tide so you will need heavier weights. Another option is to motor slowly into the tide and if that is too fast even at tickover you could try an electric motor like they use on lakes.

 

A trick we used to use on the Shambles when drifting for spring Plaice, was to remove your anchor from the chain, and just drag the chain along the bottom. You do however need moderately shallow water for this to work, and a heavy length of chain. After a day of drifting, it comes back nice and shiny - but soon rusts again!!!!

Speed can be adjusted with more or less warp out - basically what you are trying to emulate is - dragging your anchor.

Hope that helps.

Cheers from sunny Africa

 

I've not found conventional drogues to be very effective unless the wind is a big influence on the drift. I'm looking at drilling an old brake disc and dragging that to slow the drift.

 

A train rail shoe used to be favourite !

 

Its easier to not bother fishing springs, just SAY you are going fishing & spend the day in the pub. Rob