Hi Joe, I built a stern anchor reel out of marine grade plywood and mounted it on the stern pulpit of our old large boat. My reasons for making the reel were: In an emergency, where I need the stern anchor to stop the boat, I didn't want to have to dig out the anchor / chain / rode from the sail locker - with possible hockles in the anchor line. I wanted it in place and ready to function instantly. Using a reel lets the anchor line roll out without any potential problems - and when it is retrieved, the line is all nicely coiled up on the reel, ready to go (instantly) the next time you need it. It gets the stern anchor rode and chain out of the sail locker. Worked beautifully. The web strap approach on the flat reel is a new product that didn't exist when I built mine. Connie