Seabrake
Seabrake GP48 Storm Drogue for Boats up to 22.8m
The Seabrake GP48 Storm Drogue is a professional-grade heavy-weather safety device engineered for boats from 16.9 to 22.8 metres (56–75ft). Designed and manufactured in Australia, the GP48 helps maintain vessel control in severe sea conditions by reducing surfing, minimising broaching, improving directional stability and assisting with emergency steering. It is trusted by offshore cruisers, commercial operators, rescue organisations and government agencies worldwide.
Unlike conventional cone-style sea anchors, the Seabrake features an innovative variable-drag design that automatically increases resistance as boat speed rises. Water is discharged evenly through four exhaust ports, creating controlled turbulence while preventing rotation or tangling. The result is smoother tracking, greater stability and significantly improved heavy-weather handling compared with many traditional drogues.
Suitable for large sailing yachts, launches, powerboats and commercial vessels, the GP48 is an essential addition to any offshore safety inventory, helping crews maintain control when conditions deteriorate.
Key Features
- Genuine Seabrake GP48 Storm Drogue
- Suitable for boats 16.9–22.8m (56–75ft)
- Heavy-weather storm drogue
- Variable drag technology automatically responds to vessel speed
- Reduces surfing and broaching
- Improves steering and directional stability
- Assists emergency steering
- Functions as a sea anchor and drift anchor
- Helps reduce rolling while underway and at anchor
- Suitable for towing stabilisation
- Tangle-resistant design
- Compact for its size and supplied with storage bag
- Australian designed and manufactured
- Proven offshore performance
Why Buy from Barton Marine NZ?
At Barton Marine NZ, we supply genuine Seabrake storm drogues for New Zealand sailors and powerboat owners preparing for offshore cruising, bluewater passagemaking and demanding coastal conditions.
The GP48 is ideal for:
- Offshore cruising yachts
- Bluewater passagemaking
- Large launches
- Powerboats
- Commercial vessels
- Charter boats
- Rescue vessels
- Heavy-weather preparedness
- Emergency steering systems
- Long-distance ocean voyages
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Seabrake |
| Model | GP48 |
| Product Type | Storm Drogue / Sea Anchor / Drift Anchor |
| Recommended Boat Length | 16.9–22.8m (56–75ft) |
| Recommended Tow Line | 19mm low-stretch braided polyester |
| Recommended Tow Line Length | Minimum 3 × boat length (+30% spare line) |
| Recommended Chain | 13mm |
| Recommended Chain Length | 3.6m (12ft) |
| Recommended Shackle Size | 12.7mm (1/2") |
| Storage Bag | Included |
| Country of Manufacture | Australia |
The GP48 sizing recommendations are based on Seabrake's published rigging guide. Boats with exceptionally high displacement or large windage may benefit from moving to the next model size.
Common Applications
The Seabrake GP48 is ideal for:
- Offshore storm management
- Ocean passages
- Heavy-weather sailing
- Sea anchor applications
- Drift anchor applications
- Emergency steering
- Anti-broaching protection
- Vessel stabilisation
- Roll reduction at anchor
- Bar crossings
- Towing stabilisation
- Improving autopilot performance in rough seas
Performance Benefits
The Seabrake GP48 delivers:
- Superior control in following seas
- Reduced surfing and broaching
- Improved directional stability
- Reduced steering effort
- Increased crew confidence during storms
- Easy deployment and retrieval
- Tangle-free operation
- Reduced rolling at anchor
- High drag efficiency through its variable-drag design
- Proven performance trusted by offshore sailors and commercial operators worldwide.
