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Single Anchor Method
When using this method allow room to swing around.Motor into the wind/current to the point you want the anchor to set.Put engine in reverse and lower anchor under control as you back up.Feed about 5:1 scope out then cleat off or tighten windlass brake.Power back a little to set anchor.I like to stay in reverse at about 1/3 max engine RPM for about 5 minutes.At this point I usually feel confident the anchor is well set.Then pay out sufficient Scope for conditions.Stay aware of how far you may swing around. If you cannot let out as much scope as you would like you can use a sentinel weight method as shown below to get better holding power with less rode out.
Two anchors from Bow
Two anchors are used for very strong wind or current that comes from the same approximate direction or where your single anchor just wont do the job. First set your #1 anchor as in above description for single anchor. Then either motor forward to the spot you want to set the second anchor or take the anchor to that spot with the boats dingy.Drop the anchor and pay out a scope of 5:1.You may have to let a little extra scope out from the #1 anchor so you can apply good pressure to set the #2 anchor.Position yourself in the middle as in above picture and set out the right amount of Scope for the conditions.You have to keep an eye on things with this system if you start to swing around.If that happens it will more than likely tangle up your anchor rode's. Hopefully if you are starting to swing around the conditions are getting better and you may be able to go to only one anchor.In some cases you may have to just resign yourself to a sleepless night so you can be as safe as possible.
Bahamian Moor
This method is used in area's where there is strong current that will reverse.You will be positioning yourself as in picture above.Again with sufficient Scope each direction for the conditions.If you have a sailboat with a keel make sure when the boat swings the keel doesn't catch on the anchor rode.Sometimes you may need to attach some form of weight to make sure that the rode's hang vertically enough to clear the keel if the boat swings around. This can be done by adding some weight about 15'-20' down the anchor rode from the boat end. With all chain rode you could clip or shackle the weight on. With line rode you can have the weight clip on with a carabina clip then attach a small piece of line below the carabina which is used to control the deployment and retrieval of the weight. You will want to use about 20-30lbs of weight , then if you need more or less wieght, you can decide from there.
Sometimes when anchoring with two anchors it is easier to set the first anchor then run the second out in the dingy.
Having a float attached so it will float just above your anchors is a little more work but will help you in several ways.
1)When setting two anchors it will let you know where they are set in relation to each other.
2)They will help you see if one of the anchors is starting to drag.
3)It is another option available if your anchor is badly stuck.You can apply some pull to the trip line which is attached to the front of the anchor .This will quite often pop the anchor right out of what it was stuck in.Picture.
4)If for some reason you could not retrieve you anchor and have to cut it loose it will give you a point to come back and find it again.Maybe to dive for it.
It is ideal to anchor in water that is 2-3 times the boat draft at low tide.
Devise a system to mark your anchor rode so you will know easily how much you have out.You can buy pre made anchor markers which attach to the line.For chain I like to either paint my marks or use bits of strong colored string or even colored zipties can work OK.