I keep the anchor rode in a secured box on the lower deck of the bow. I can handle the line and anchor while standing in the vbirth. I have ½ inch line and 20 ft of 1/4 inch chain with 13 lb delta. I replaced a danforth anchor after a stormy night bent a 90 deg curve in the shaft.
I replaced the original johnson 70 on my 1990 cruiser with an etec 90 in 2009. It has 450 hrs run time ,serviced twice. The only thing thing that hasnt performed 100 percent are the evinrude decals they are curling up and peeling off.