Now this is a technique I have never tried or even read about. I carry one of those grapnel units as a second and will try this next time. ThanksJim. Tim D. --------------------- "Try this: Drop a second anchor off the bow. Pay out very short scope (anchor just touching the ground then a few feet more). The second anchor should drag along and discourage the whole boat from wrenching back and forth. This works best with one of those grapnel type dinghy anchors (It actually works even better with a Hershoff anchor - but who carries those anymore?) Drawbacks: 1) It can require frequent adjusting in areas with large tidal ranges (or your second anchor will just dangle when the tide comes in). 2) It doesn't work very well with Danforth type anchors. 3) On some bottoms it just plain doesn't work. I started using this technique on a boat that would tack at anchor so badly that my crew threatened to sue for whiplash. I haven't anchored out on my new M-17 so I don't know if it's necessary. Jim Poulakis "Spirit" M-17 #648"