Menzies wrote: "I have a two anchor set up on the bow, both with chain, so could use one for a stern by leading the chain back and laying an anchor attached to a stern cleat, But I would not want to do that with chain. So the only other option is to carry a third anchor and rode just for doing this. Not sold on that."
In cruising grounds like Florida and the Bahamas, two primary anchors, both with all-chain rodes, seems an abundance of caution. How about changing out one of the forward anchors to a combination of chain (say two or three fathoms) and the rest nylon. You can splice the nylon to the chain for a smooth interface, or use a thimble.
The all-chain rode would continue to be the primary anchor. The secondary would likely experience less use (and thus not a huge amount of wear and tear on the nylon), and offer greater flexibility in how you deploy it, like as a stern hook. You'd also get a bit of weight off the bow.
One more potential upside: if you're ever out cruising down island and experience a windless failure, you'd have an anchor that's recoverable the old-fashioned way (sans flogging the crew).
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