In keeping with the suggested New Years Resolution to sail/cruise more, I just spent 3 days cruisng on Lake pleasant in AZ. The conditions were apparently typical for this time of year with high temps 65 - 70 and lows 35 - 45. The nights were cold enough to prevent any length star gazing but the stars were brilliant. The morning winds were around 10 kts, calm mid-day and 5-10 kts after 3 pm. The night winds actually get quite strong. Generally very nice though. The water level in the lake is up at this time of year and I was warned about the heavy brush and trees on the bottom of the coves shallow enough to anchor in. I bought a fish finder with a suction cup transducer to attach to the transom and it worked well. There were some areas that were very dense with brush and others relatively clear of debris. The waters here sure are deep and the bottom is hard packed stuff that is poor holding. Has anyone tried a fishermans anchor from http://www.blueoceantackle.com/kedge_fisherman's_anchor.htm ? I am not sure where to store it but I think I will try the 15 lb one. The local club had a 14 boat raft up on Saturday night with the boats alternating anchors, bow and stern. I skipped the raft up and anchored in a tiny little 12 ft deep cove at the far end of Coles Wash Arm. There was very little swing room so I anchored bow and stern. A CQR off the bow which was facing WNW and a 15 lump of vinyl coated lead off the stern. The winds that night were quite strong out of the North and I was nice and secure. The large raft up however got quite exciting. Many of the anchors dragged and 3 boats were on the rocks but little damage. Not much sleep there. One the way back to the ramp my topping lift block fell off the upper tang and I couldn't remember how it was attached except that it was a shackle on the through bolt at the hounds. In fear of loosing the mast I dropped/furled all the sail and ducked in a quite cove. The binoculars showed that the nut was still on the through bolt and it was safe to continue. When making the repair on land I discovered that I had use a shackle with a screw in pin. The pin had unscrewed itself. I gues the lesson here is that any upper fitting that cannot be inspected should be using good cotter pins. Well, Happy New year to all. Looking forward to the Lake Havasu Poker run. Thanks Doug Kelch M15 #310 G "Seas the Day"