Drogue Chute

In no wind & a calm sea a solo kayak will struggle to go forward with the Whetman Equipment Drogue Chute deployed but will make slow progress, so the device is speed limiting rather than an anchor. In a surf landing scenario with a casualty a raft of sea kayaks can make controlled progress through the surf to the beach using the drogue chute deployed on the 10m line. The drogue chute is designed to sink and there is a float approx 4m back from the chute to check its depth.

To retrieve the drogue chute do not attempt to lift it by the main line as it will be very heavy and likely to pull you in. Grab one of the yellow webbing lines to spill the water out & lift it from the cone tip to drain.
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Features:
Speed limiting drogue chute
Helps maintain position in wind
Stabilises in line with wind and waves
​Stabilises raft of kayaks during helicopter rescue downdraft
​Kayak Fishing
Coaching aid

There are two sizes available: Medium H5 and Large H14. The H refers volume created by an equivalent number of helmets. Therefore H14 will create a drag equivalent to putting 14 helmets together on a line which is a great deal of resistance; this large size is suitable for stabilising position at sea to sort out a problem/ have lunch/ or at worst wait for rescue; it will assist in maintaining position during the downdraft from a helicopter. The medium size is equivalent to putting 5 helmets together in the water and will be a good speed limiter to enable a controlled approach to a surf beach or rocky landing aswell as holding position in line with wind or swell.

How to deploy the Drogue Chute: The line should run through the bow or stern of the kayak to get it inline with the wind and the end of the line connected to the kayak within reach to release. Set this up and connect the end of the line before putting the drogue chute in the water.  We strongly advise to practise using this device and make it part of a group paddle exercise and you will also soon realise its great fun to play around with

Kayak Fishing: Set the drogue chute from the stern to keep the kayak inline with the wind on your back (and probably the swell) for a more comfortable stable fishing position. It also enables casting with spinners to be in front of you & downwind and reeling in will not move the kayak around.