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Sometimes setting the anchor well can be the easiest part of anchoring especially if your anchor gets caught on something.
Manually retrieving anchors
Usually you will motor slowly towards the point where your anchor is while someone else pulls up the anchor rode then the anchor.(It's a good idea to rinse it by swishing the anchor around in the water before pulling onboard) .If by yourself you pull the boat towards the anchor by pulling in the anchor rode. If there is strong wind/current and you are by yourself it can get a little tricky. You can use the motor to move up small amounts then run forward and quickly take up some scope. You HAVE to be VERY carefull not to get your anchor line in the propellor. Remember once the anchor is free the boat will be drifting so get the anchor up as fast as possible and be aware at all times how close you are to everything around you.
Retrieving anchor with Windlass
This is pretty straight forward we are just using the windlass instead of manually pulling the anchor. Once anchor is rinsed and onboard remember to tighten windlass drum brake. I also like to tie a piece of line on the anchor chain then secure the other end to a cleat for a bit more piece of mind.