As long as the rode is attached to the anchor, and you can get to it, its fine.
I just don't like the idea of storing the anchor and rode stored separately (rgranger), unless you have another ready to go.
Right.... I agree in principle.
My bow anchor rode was the long 150' line on the orange wheel.... I seldom set all 150' because I sail swing keel boats and look for protected coves in skinny water.....my stern anchor I keep (kept) in a bucket just like Brian S suggested. I did not have a stern rail on that particular boat so I would have probably done as I suggested above and kept my stern anchor on the rail. My new-2-me H26 has a stern rail so I will probably store an anchor on the rail and some rode in the cockpit locker.
On the V22, if I was single handed, I would stop the boat in the cove for the evening using the stern anchor. Then take my time getting the bow anchor and rode ready. Toss it off the back, at an angle to the first anchor and set it by hand and walk the rode to the bow eye. I would usually then walk the stern anchor to the bow eye as well and sleep with two hooks set. If they were calling for bad weather I'd set a third in a triangular pattern. I have yet to drag (knocking on wood as I type). If I was sailing with one of my kids on board, I'd turn the tiller over to them and I make the anchor ready from the bow... drop sail and toss the anchor over at the right spot as we enter the cove.
I seldom use my outboard to set the anchor but occasionally I will. Depends on the circumstances.
I know that my anchor techniques are unique to ghunkhole sailing and people who set their hooks in less protected water with large swells etc., need to think differently. But that is not the kind of sailing I do. I'm a ghunkholler and when I go cruising, I'm not looking for Tikki bars and restaurants... I'm looking for total seclusion.
