Last year, I used the biggest Trac (model 45 maybe?) anchor winch here on iBoats. Oddly, it has 1/4" line. But if you go to some rope manufacturer websites, you'll find lots of small diameter rope that will significantly out perform most of the 1/2" rope us boaters use.
That being said, the winch worked great. I have a 25 pound plow style anchor and a muck/mud bottom. The key is getting it off the bottom. I'm a former power lifter and I'm telling you that thing was a b!tch to get off the bottom. Once broke free, the winch pulled the anchor up no problem. There were a handful of occasions where I used the winch to break the anchor free, but I wouldn't recommend it. The best way was to use the boat engine and drive up on the anchor position while reeling in the line until it's basically vertical. Then cleat the line off and the motion of the waves will usually break the anchor free. in a few rare circumstances, I'd just pop the motor into gear for a second and then back to neutral. Again, the boat did the work of breaking free not the winch. Once broke loose, just use the up switch.
Speaking of switches, I also had the remote switch mounted on the helm. Otherwise you need a second person.
