I thought long and hard about my anchoring gear before I purchased and installed the windlass, controls, anchor roller, ground tackle and washdown.
I installed a self-deploying anchor roller so there is no need for me to go to the bow to deploy the anchor once the safety tether is removed. My windlass powers down and up....no free fall. Once I reach my chosen spot, typically driven at the lower helm, I press and hold the down side of the rocker switch and watch the anchor drop on the fish finder. My rode is clearly marked every 30 feet so I know just how much is played out. Once the anchor is on the bottom, I reverse slowly to lay the rode on the bottom in a line, rather that a pile.
My horizontal windlass will handle chain and line seamlessly. I have a hardwired control at the lower helm and a wireless remote for use anywhere in the boat. The remote goes with me to the bow if an anchor wash is needed. It's also used from the FB helm during warm summer months when I drive from 'up top'.
How do I know if a washdown is needed? When I start to see dirty water or mud splashing on the top of my stainless anchor platform/windlass, a washdown is needed. I installed a washdown and spray nozzle on the bow in a recessed can. I can wash with one hand while I hold the remote button with the other. This DOES require me to set my beer down as I only have 2 hands.
When retrieving the anchor, I don't try to move the boat with the windlass. I drive the boat to the anchor. I do this in short burst of idle fwd, then take up the slack with the windlass. If the windlass starts to slow from the strain of the rode, I stop retrieving and move the boat closer to the anchor. It's a coordinated dance between engine(s) and windlass that becomes second nature after some practice.
If someone is onboard and they want to help, I hand them the washdown hose and let them spray the anchor, whether it needs it or not. It makes them feel like they're helping!
I used to have a PowerWinch that could only handle line when tension was held on a line wrapped about the capstan. I hated that thing and found it aggravating, messy and stressful. It would dump the rode, chain and mud on the foredeck and I had no washdown! I used to dread pulling anchor to find a different fishing spot. Now it's about as complicated as getting another beer from the fridge.