My bow anchor is ready to deploy in seconds. I merely pull a pin and the anchor quickly drops.

I took stock today of what I had and it was 60 feet of chain and 225 feet of 1/2 inch 3 strand nylon. By emptying the anchor locker I was able to also get a good handle on what it will hold and how. I am going for the 100 feet of 5/16 G4 (works very well with my windlass) and 200 feet of 1/2 brait.

As far as the stern anchor... it is a Danforth in a locker that is readily accessible... but frankly I want it on the stern rail. The rode is all in a plastic bucket... so it is in fact able to be put on a dinghy. However I don't yet have a good system for keeping the rode attached to the anchor while it is on the stern rail... and I really want more than the 15 feet of chain that it now has.

I see your point about the "lunch hook" as being a silly idea for a cruiser... either you have a real anchor or you don't... I'll have to do some more evaluation of the stern anchor.