David what type boat do you have?
I know on many Catalina's they only have an "up" switch typically a rubber foot switch you will see when you lift the anchor hatch on the bow. Most (if not all) Catalina's did not come with a down switch, thus to drop the anchor you need to stick a winch handle on the top of the Windlass (in the hex slot in the middle) and rotate counter clockwise. That will release the 'clutch' on the anchor rode and you "should" be able to free fall the anchor line. When you have the rode out where you want you can "tighten" back up on the 'clutch' by turning the winch handle clockwise. To raise the anchor press the rubber foot switch. FYI -- pretty easy to add a down switch so you don't need to mess with the winch handle and the clutch. Does this make any sense to you???
