Further to Jackdaw's recommendation, you could also use a bucket. I have found someone else's recommendation of a rubber feed bucket (got mine at Tractor Supply) to be the most robust so far. The other plastic buckets I've tried are very good at cracking unexpectedly. I keep the ground tackle in the bucket in the cockpit lazarette, and set anchor from the cockpit, then move forward and cleat off at the bow. I have the end of the nylon warp clipped to the bail of the bucket, which can then be clipped to my bow pulpit, so I don't accidentally lose the bitter end. Then, the rest of the warp is loosely coiled in the bucket, so that it runs out easily without tangling. The chain and then anchor lay on top of the warp in the bucket. This setup works well for my Lewmar Claw, which I am retiring in favor of a Manson Supreme. It would NOT work for a Danforth, Danforth cheap copy (that probably won't set), or an assembled Fortress. That design with the long shaft and the bars that stick out at the end of the flukes is difficult to store unless you have a deck anchor locker designed for a Danforth style. But many other plow-like "next generation" anchors like Mantus, Rocna, Spade, Manson Supreme fit nicely in the bucket, and set easily and quickly. Hanging the anchor off the pulpit, or even an anchor roller, is generally not a good idea in a small boat. Weight at the ends = hobby horsing. Bigger boats, not so much of an issue.
