and if so what size and brand do you recommend? there several to choose from, prices and sizes vary from academy to bps to cabelas. My boat is 18.5' skeeter fish-n-ski. thanks

I haven't used but have plan on trying very soon with all the high wind have read are very useful. Found a few sites on internet that have info on and sell. For a 20 foot boat the recommendation is for a sock 48"-52". I blieve on a 18 to 20 foot boat it is around 42"-48". Even found recommendations on how to build one if your interested. Doesn't seem to be to hard and uses pretty much things fisherman have lying around excluding a tarp.

2-36 inch socks worked real well on my fishnski in high winds. generally just needed one on the bow. i use the $20 chutes from academy

I've used the MinnKota Drift Sock in Windy Conditions to slow the boat down when I'm trying to fish Structure or a bank.
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/accessories/anchoring/pro_driftsock.aspx

I have the Skeeter SX -190 and use it when I'm trolling for sac a lait in the winter. Do yourself a favor and get the sock bigger than what they recommend. I got mine from academy and got what the tag said and I found it to be to small Went back and got the bigger one. But they are worth it.

I have a 60" that I use on the front and a 40" I use on the back. Put them both on in high winds on amistad or similar and I can drift sideways perfectly. I have a basscat cougar

Thanks for all your info,
chad

Yes, I use a drift sock, also called a drift anchor.

I have two of those so depending on wind I sometimes use both.

I have 3 and mostly use a combination of 2 of the 3, depending on wind speed and my target drift speed.

38"
56"
77"

I typically tie 2 of them to the center cleat on my gunwale (different line lengths) and tilt the motor up and down to slightly turn the boat during drift.

Every boat should carry one. If you ever get caught with a dead motor in a high wind, you'll soon understand the value of keeping the bow into the wind. A plastic bucket (most of us carry one) will work in a pinch.