DIY Drift Sock & Canoe

Canoes are notoriously susceptible to winds being light and high-sided. If you are fishing from a canoe and trying to keep from being blown away from your fishing spot, the solution is a sea anchor or drift sock, as it's known in small boats. The principle is to simply throw a water-filled, cone-shaped device that's attached to your canoe into the water. The sock will resist moving and control drift. These can also be used in a storm to keep your boat pointed into the wind while you ride it out.

  1. Why a Drift Sock

    • A drift sock is often a safer solution than anchoring your canoe. An immovable tie-down attached to your canoe can cause it to easily capsize if you pick up a motorboat wake or a sudden gust of wind strikes you. A drift sock offers some give that the anchor does not and may allow you time to counterbalance before you flip over and wind up in the drink. A canoe does not offer the stability of larger and wider small craft.

    Emergency Drift Socks

    • In a pinch, there are all sorts of ways to create a drift sock out of available materials. Cut the bottom out of a 3-liter soda bottle, poke three or four holes around the large open end and attach it with cord or light wire to a length of cord and you have a simple drift sock.

      You can also tie a cord to the handle of a 5-gallon bucket and toss that in. Full of water, a 5 gallon bucket provides formidable resistance to the pull of the breeze.

      Practically any container-shaped item that can be sunk in the water and tied to your boat will work in a pinch. An open umbrella, tied at the handle will resist a surprisingly stiff breeze.

    Homemade Drift Sock

    • You can buy a drift sock for $20 to $80, but if you want to make your own you can. Cut out get a two foot piece of rip-stop nylon or poly material, stitch it into a cone shape. The mouth of the cone should be about 3-feet wide. Leave a 4-inch wide opening at the small end of the cone. Buy a 2- or 3-foot metal hoop at a craft store, depending on the size of your sock cone. Fold the edges of the large end of the sock over the hoop and whip stitch it into place. Cut four small holes in the sock inside the frame. Tie light nylon cords to them and tie the cords to a length of heavier nylon cord.

    Tie-Down Safety

    • For the safest setup, attach the drift sock to the end of the canoe so it is either bow or stern on into the wind. Don't attach the sock to the side of the boat, because of the risk of tipping the boat in a sudden gust of wind or a large motorboat wake.