I think this method runs the risk of fouling the anchor by dropping chain
and rope on top of it. You can do the same thing by letting the rode out
too fast while the vessel still has some headway.

I like to watch the stuff floating on the water until the moment when the
boat is totally stopped (may require some adjustment in current) and then
let the anchor go until it just touches bottom. Then, I try to let the
chain out at about the same speed the boat starts drifting backwards, or
blowing off to the side in most cases, so that the chain has the best chance
of laying smoothly out along the bottom instead of piling up on top of the
anchor. When I get the right scope out, I snub the line and the intertia of
the drifting boat digs the hook in. By this time, the boat is usually
crosswise to the wind. My 32 footer is small enough that a series of jerks
to bring her around pointing towards the anchor usually sets it very firmly.
Then, I let out the full riding scope and usually sleep soundly.

It sounds to me like you are making the common (almost universal) mistake of
trying to do things too fast. Relax. Try to do everything at half speed
like you were trying to impress the crowd on the yacht club veranda. You'll
be surprised how much time there actually is to do things. If not, you're
probably anchoring too close and that was your first mistake.

If you do have to anchor in a tight spot, there is usually a direction with
more room and a little thinking ahead will make sure the boat falls off in
that direction. Don't forget to scope out the current. If it is going to
have more of an effect on the boat than the wind, nothing you do will work
out right if you try to anchor upwind with a stern current. I still make
this mistake sometimes.

--
Roger Long