I have been pulling my anchor, 20' of chain and 600' of 1/2" line with a buoy in the Cook Inlet since 1966. Estimate at least 500 times or more. I do not have a windless.
Only one time have I ever got the line near the motor and that was last week under real unusual circumstances.
I use the spring snap as shown above with a swivel and a 18" buoy. THe snap slides down the line and "catches" on a home fabricated barb right at the chain attachment point. When the anchor is jumping up and down it is up. Turn around toward the buoy and start pulling it aboard.
I also backdown 1st, then turn to the port side and the line/buoy go down the stbd. side. If the anchor is stuck on the bottom start going completely around in a big arc to stbd. being real careful not to run over the line. It is really not that hard to do.
It is best to pull up wind so that after it is pulled and you turn the boat towards the buoy the boat will drift towards the buoy. This works great if you are out alone. Just hustle your buns in pulling the line in so it does not go under the boat.
I made the barb by cutting the base off of a 6" nylon cleat. It then looks like a small rocking chair rocker. I then drill holes, about 8, in one end of the barb, then wrap it onto the anchor line by running the whipping twine through the holes and around the line then into the next hole etc. Secure it really well. The open end of the barb points towards the anchor. Mine has been on for 3 yrs. and it is still tight.
Good luck
