Here is the problem with 400' of rode: threading it down thru the deck pipe into the chain locker. You also want to put some type of restraining system to keep the rode from spilling over onto the bunk.. I used Sunbrella Canvas, bolted at the bottom to the fiberglass lip, and with a 1/2" dowel thru a tube in the top of the sunbrella and tied to each side with a clip bolted on one of the legs of the bow pulpit:
It Is much faster and easier to put the rode into a plastic milk crate, or 5 gallon bucket, and coil the line as it falls, Also faster to deploy. (Always secure the bitter end of the line to some thing solid!). A crate allows the line to dry out faster. You often don't want foul smelling mud in the V berth area.
If you are young and healthy--then hauling the anchor rode up by hand is possible. But it may lead to back issues later in life. In the long run the windlass is much easier for us old folks. Also the 8 plait line stores in less than half the space of the 3 strand nylon line.