Paul Schilter wrote:
Gene,
Thanks for the reply. So I guess that you can't pull the boat to the
anchor (assuming calm weather, little to no current)?

I've seen plenty of boaters use the windlass to pull their boats along
the anchor line to the anchor, and then use the windlass to pull the
anchor straight up. Under non-stressful conditions, this probably is ok,
though it puts lots of strain on the windlass. Motoring over to the
anchor while the windlass winds up the line is the best way. You should
be able to go slow enough so the windlass keeps up with the slack; if
not, have someone on deck handling the line.

You still have to get the anchor up off the bottom. I like to break my
anchor loose with an anchor lifting ball; that lifts the anchor up off
the bottom so there is virtually no strain on the windlass as it winds
in the line.