Best anchor/windlass question

[Mark Redmon]

My 2005 Explorer 275 came with a small plow-type anchor and a Maxwell Freedom 800 windlass.  What's the best/largest anchor that fits well on the bow, and how do I drop (versus motor down) the anchor?  I'm hoping there's a way to electrically release the anchor versus using the crank to release the windlass.
Thanks,
Mark

[GoneFission]

Maxwell Freedom windlass has a manual "free fall" system.  You have to manually release the clutch and the anchor will free fall through the windlass.  You should have a wrench that fits in the "star" on the top of the windlass.  Put the wrench in the star and turn counter-clockwise to release the clutch and drop the anchor.  The Freedom windlass handles rope and chain mix, so you can have the proper chain on the rode and still use the windlass.  

I would recommend a 20 lb. Danforth-type anchor for best overall use, with 6-8 feet of heavy chain on the rode.  Keep a smaller (7-10 lb.), easy to use anchor with 4-5 feet of chain (like the Hooker Quick Set) as a "lunch hook," backup, or to use when you are really worried about snags...