A sea anchor (also known as a drift anchor, drift sock, para-anchor or boat brake) is a device used to stabilize a boat in heavy weather. Rather than tethering the boat to the seabed, the sea anchor increases the drag through the water and thus acts as a brake.
Often similar in design to the sea anchor is the usually smaller drogue which is attached to the stern and intended to slow the boat for better control.
Famous quotes containing the words sea and/or anchor:
“Wild roses, at your back porch, break their blood,
And bud to test surprises of sea air,”
—Howard Moss (b. 1922)
“At anchor she rides the sunny sod,
As full to the gunnel of flowers growing
As ever she turned her home with cod
From Georges Bank when winds were blowing.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)