Anchor Rode Storage in a 17' boat

[SkunkedAgain]

I've got a 2008 Alumacraft Navigator 165. Up until now I've stored my collapsible fluke anchor in one of the front hatches along with 100'ft of 3/8" polyprop tied to 5ft of chain rode. I'm finally upgrading to enough line to hold anchor in typical Vermilion conditions of 30-35ft of water. I'm planning to get 250ft of 3/8" double braided nylon and a longer chain so that I can get a proper 7:1 ratio when needed.

My big question is regarding rope storage. I used to wrap my anchor rode around a plastic power cord winder - one of those that looks like the letter "H". I've read about people using 5 gallon buckets and perforated laundry bags for rode storage. A bucket won't work because it won't fit any of my storage hatches. The laundry bag may work if I can find one big enough. Does anyone have any unique suggestions for storing ample anchor rode in a 17' style of boat?

[ClownColor]

I use rope rescue throw bags. It takes a few extra minutes getting the rope into the bag but I love that the rope never gets tangled and is always store neat and secure.

http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Mountain-Boaters-Throw-70-Feet/dp/B002J8YMUK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1446225663&sr=8-4&keywords=rope+throw+bags

 

This is a pricier one but it includes the rope.  Anyways, you get the idea of what I use.

 

[delcecchi]

Would a "milk crate" work? 

Although if it is blowing so hard on Vermilion that I need 200 feet of anchor rope, I figure God, or Mother Nature, is telling me to find a different spot to fish...  I'm too old and tired for that kind of beating...

[RebelSS]

Would a "milk crate" work? 

Although if it is blowing so hard on Vermilion that I need 200 feet of anchor rope, I figure God, or Mother Nature, is telling me to find a different spot to fish...  I'm too old and tired for that kind of beating...

Have to second the milk crate...rope dries fast, too. 250' of rope? Yikes, watch out for the trollers. 

[delcecchi]

Nobody be trolling in that kind of weather. 

[RebelSS]

My buddy would be. 

[Ufatz]

I have seen the laundry basket method many times and it seems to get the job done and keeps line out of the way. Just my opinion but I sense a bit of overkill here on this rigging. Are you truly going to be in situations where you must have/need that much scope in a relatively shallow fresh water inland lake?  Will you actually be sitting out there when the chop is so bad you need a big anchor, big flukes, lots of chain and a mile of rode?  I get where you want to be secure and safe, but maybe you are over-working the situation.

Now,  my last boat had 350' of 3/8" chain and I can't recall every deploying all of it.  And I had a great big (flush to deck) electric winch to raise that pile of weight.

Just some thoughts. Oh....and don't use a plastic floating braided line of any kind.