Mary Joy is a 1985 P34. As far as advice, I have tons of anchoring advice, but I think you mean just about installation. The windlass was installed by the boatyard. There are two buttons on the bow plus a switch in the cockpit. As a solo sailor, i use the ones on the bow the most often, but sometimes i need to be in the cockpit for part of the operation. so i think having the option is important. My husband insisted we get this as he was tired of hauling up anchors on our previous boats. we would anchor with me at the helm and him on the bow. now that i'm a widow, i can't imagine not having the windlass. it's one of the best improvements we could have made to our boat. One problem I've had is the rode running out when i'm at anchor. yeah! i figured out there is a big nut-like thing on the windlass. that nut can get loose over time and when there's a strain on the rode it let go. i think my husband used to just tighten it with his hand and i knew nothing. my hands are not strong enough to really honk it down so i use a strap wrench. after i've been at anchor a few days and am ready to weigh anchor i use the wrench to tighten up. now i have never had that problem again. I hope I answered your question.
milly