andy59 said..Don't feel silly mate, I'm nothing special when it comes to sailing experience anyway.A Jordan series drogue is definitely on the list to buy.
From all accounts they are the best drogue out there, as long as you have enough sea room
Andy, good talking to you the other day.
I can offer a view on some of the questions above in relation to the S&S34.
I have a Para drogue, it is outstanding and I would argue one of the best available. I don't know the Jordan drogue but have many supporters of the Para drogue.
A drogue streamed from the bow will see the boat lie at about 45 degrees from the wind and sea. A parachute anchor might be better but I doubt it, S&S34s naturally lie that way. A drogue from the bow will also allow the boat to drift astern at up to 3 knots. The strain on the rudder will be too much and could well break something.
Bottom line, a drogue goes from the stern not the bow. Have it out about 100 metres (my rode is about 120 metres) to have it a few swells astern. You will go downwind at about 2-3 knots under control. The Fleming will handle it for you. Keep some sail up to stop the drogue rode going slack too much. If it is blowing your socks off bare poles might work but in the trough the wind will disappear. Havefun and I had that off Lord Howe in 2014, dead calm in the trough and 40+ on the peak.
The strain on the drogue can be immense, it will need to be checked for wear.
I run my rode from the sheet winches, forard to a block on the toe rail amidships, aft of the mast, and then out the back. I use a 100 metres of 12mm poly anchor rope, giving about 50 metres behind as it comes back to the other winch. I have a 70 metre 16mm nylon rode attached to it.
The Fleming is the best steering option in a gale or worse. Read Berrimilla's account of their around the world trip in 2005/6.
berrimilla.com/wordpress/They would get knocked down and the boat would right itself, the Fleming would shake like a wet dog and resume steering the boat downwind. I know Alex Whitworth quite well (friends on FB) and can ask him if he can talk with you about it. I am sure he would love to.
Do carry lots of vanes and line for the Fleming. My preference now is 6mm Dyneema for the line. Ebay -
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/171119931159?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT All the other ropes wear out pretty quickly or stretch so you are always adjusting.
Transom outlets for bilge pumps or exhaust can let water in as the 34 squats at the stern. Rebuild them before you go. I would also extend the rudder post tube as high as you can as water will come in if the seal isn't perfect, which it might not be on your home leg.
Give me a call anytime.
Cheers