You will really like having a windlass. The windlass is not designed to take the load while at anchor; lift the line out of the jaws and cleat it off. If we are just stopping for lunch and it isn't windy, I don't bother with that. Also, the windlass isn't designed to "pull" you up to the anchor - we motor forward towards the anchor while raising it up. If you find the anchor is really dug in and the windlass is working hard to lift, cleat the rode off again, and motor over where the anchor is (being careful to not "run over" the rode), and use the power of the boat to free up the anchor.
On our boat, we have 50' of chain and then 200' of line. If the weather is going to be reasonably calm, I go with a 5 or 7 to 1 scope. If it looks to be nasty, we go to a 10:1 scope and consider putting out a second anchor. Even in shallow water, when anchoring overnight, we put out all the chain so the line is in the roller - much quieter. Also, have some chaffing gear if necessary (we use a piece of fire hose).
Hope that helps.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
