Upgrading Ground Tackle - recommendations???

Hello all! Looking for some backup/advice/recommendations on some upgrades I am planning for my ground-tackle.

Here's what I am working with: (on IP38-015)
Windlass: Original Simpson-Lawrence 555 manual windlass (Bulletproof...) - Wildcat to starboard, Gypsy-head to port...
Anchors: Bruce of UNK size to starboard and a CQR 35 to port.
Rode: 25 Feet of 5/16" BBB on the starboard anchor with about 250' of 1/2" to 5/8" 3 strand and 25 Feet of 5/16" Proof Coil (long link - ugghhh) on the port anchor with another 250' of 1/2" - 5/8" three strand with w/ a PLASTIC THIMBLE and HUGE SHACKLE connecting it to the chain...Just a guess - Port anchor has NEVER BEEN USED because the plastic thimble looks good as new.

My thoughts are as follows: (Keep in mind I'll be taking weekend to weeklong jaunts around the mid-atlantics and new england - so all-chain is probably not at this point necessary)

Main: Ditch the Bruce and upgrade to a ROCNA 25 as my main anchor removing the BBB in favor of G4 in 3/8", increasing my chain scope to 75', while adding 250' of 3/4" 3 strand nylon.
Back-up: Keep the CQR 35 as my back-up, and use 75" of G4 5/16" chain coupled to 200' of 5/8" 3 strand nylon.
Windlass: Less concerned about replacing this as it will likely outlive the boat. But open to suggestions - but my 12V systems may not be able to handle a big load like an electric windlass without some remediation...

So - I guess my question is this. Do I have a sound plan here? I know a lot of you advocate all-chain rode, but I just don't see the need for this cost in both expense and bow trim at this point...

Any recomendations, advice, or annecdotes would be greatly appreciated...

Jonathan:
I like your plan, and I also like your move to the ROCNA 25, (55lb) anchor. We have this anchor and LOVE IT. It is amazing. We upgraded our BRUCE 44 lb to this ROCNA 55 lb. You will be very happy with this.

I also like you keeping the manual windlass. It works, you know it well, it will always work, so if that is not broken, then keep it. If you did upgrade that, I would go with the Lofrans Tigress 12 volt, but that requires large wires fun to the bow. So keeping the manual is a good idea.

Staying with some chain and some rope works as you will not be anchoring in much rock or coral and with 75 feet that will cover most bottoms where you will be.

Good plan. I see no issues. I am sure others will have more ideas as well.

Hayden

I like my manual windlass. Lynn will man the helm and ease forward as I haul the chain in by hand over hand. It feels good on my arms and shoulders to pull the chain in. Watch your posture and form! When we are "straight up and down" I'll engage the windlass It might be easier and faster with an electric, but hell if I had wanted easy I would have stayed home!

This topic has been a slippery slope and a source for arguments for as long as I have been boating. I think that you are the one and only expert on the bottom conditions where you do your boating. You have the advantage of carrying basically two primary anchors so even somewhat different conditions can be handled.

In out area I don't know of anyone that uses a Rocna, never actually seen one on a boat here on the North Coast. Our bottom is primarily soft sand, mud and sometimes grass. The old standard Danforth is by far the most popular, CQR and Bruce (claw style) are on some of the newer boats. We have used Bruce, Danforth and Fortress with great success over the years. I changed over the IP to a Bruce primary, Danforth secondary with a chain/rope rode for each. We actually use very little chain (12' on each) because other than for weight it really isn't need to prevent chafe. That works perfectly for us.

I advise to consider the bottom conditions and research the anchor that works best. As far as chain, the more chain, the more weight you carry. Use what works best for your conditions!

When we bought our IP 35 it had a 22 pound Lewmar anchor, and looked to be unused on a 1990 boat. Prior to buying the IP we chartered in a variety of locations and sea bottoms. Charter boats from my experience have cheap and light anchors.

The last time we were in the Windward Islands, it was nothing to make 4-5 attempts to get the anchor to stick. I was taking it personally, until I watched people with a lot more experienced than I were go through the same drill.

I swore I would get a decent anchor. So far the Rocna 55 pound anchor is more than decent. It sticks the first time, every time. Good gear can make things simple. Anchoring has become less of a mystery that it used to be.

You also sleep better.

DW

Ground tackle on our IP380 is a 33 lb Bruce primary and similar size spade as secondary. Based of the discussions here, I plan on upgrading to a Rocna 25 (55 lb) as the primary. Any suggestions as to which of the current anchors would be the best as a secondary. Thanks.