A parachute sea anchor is basically a drag device. Normally deployed off the bow to windward, it is designed to hold the bow into the wind and waves. This stabilizes the motion of the boat while maintaining a safe attitude to the seas. Forward motion is stopped, but some leeward drift ideally, no more than 1 or 2 knots—occurs. Deploying a sea anchor can buy you time for sleep or nourishment in heavy weather or let you wait until a heavy fog lifts or daylight arrives before making landfall. A sea anchor can also help hold you off a lee shore while you make an engine or rig repair.

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