A fishfinder can also be significant help in discerning bottom features
and types when anchoring. I've also been looking into the forward
looking sonars from Interphase and Echopilot, which can actually show a
bit of what's in front of your boat, not just what's straight down. The
Echopilot bronze is around $700 on Sailnet, and is similar-sized to a
regular depth finder.

Aaron Tinling
s/v Sweet Destiny
www.navagear.com