Christian, I think a washdown pump is mandatory if you anchor in mud, and especially if you have a chain/rode locker that can be accessed from the cabin - the v-berth. Mud and weed will eventually cause odor in the locker and an un-sealed locker may cause problems inside the boat if the locker isn't rinsed out.
Recently I was talking with a friend who is changing out his galvanized chain for stainless steel chain. He says the stainless will not pyramid as easily as the galvanized and thus require fewer trips below to shift the chain. When he showed me the chain, we experimented with it in the barrel. Polished stainless chain is very slippery stuff. I will be looking forward to hearing from him during his upcoming cruise.
Recently I was talking with a friend who is changing out his galvanized chain for stainless steel chain. He says the stainless will not pyramid as easily as the galvanized and thus require fewer trips below to shift the chain. When he showed me the chain, we experimented with it in the barrel. Polished stainless chain is very slippery stuff. I will be looking forward to hearing from him during his upcoming cruise.