PNW waters include many small anchorages that require a stern tie to prevent the boat from swinging while at anchor. I designed a system that works quite well for our boat and does not cost very much. The plastic cable spool came from a local thrift store that cost me $1.50, the PVC tubing and connectors from HD cost maybe $5.00, the rest was the cost of 300 feet of poly line. The link below connects you to the Photo Forum project that describes how it works and pics of the finished product.

http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73322439178 and fno=17

Terry