I sent this thread to a club member out cruising these last several years, and presently "self isolating" aboard in New Zealand. They have pretty good wifi, and check on events back here in PDX when they can. They previously did a 'shakedown cruise' to Hawaii and back, and both had previous offshore sailing experience on larger boats. Their boat is a restored/updated Jason 35, a Ted Brewer design. I have done a two day delivery down the WA coast on a sistership and it's a good design for the ocean, with decent speed and an easy motion.
Randy's pragmatic answer:
"We have been cruising in the South Pacific for nearly five years on a Jason 35. I have tried both approaches: Anchor off the bow and stowed below; Anchor on the bow all set up to go. There is no doubt that reducing weight in the ends of a boat reduces pitching. There is no doubt that attempting to fit an anchor on the bow when arriving at a new and unknown anchorage after a long passage is stressful, to say the least.
Setting off for a long cruise, e.g. crossing from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to Hiva Oa, Marquesas, the vessel will be fully laden. There are food provisions for ~1½ times the anticipated voyage, equipment for ocean sailing, and equipment and toys for inter-island cruising. In addition to a dinghy this could include two outboards, jerry jugs of gasoline and extra diesel fuel, often lashed on deck, lots of spare parts for equipment, and of course, tools. Heading out the boat will be somewhat above its design displacement. Only a few boats avoid this, e.g. see Webb Chiles 6th circumnavigation on Gannett. The weight of a primary bow anchor and rode is likely to be negligible in accounting for total displacement and distribution of mass. Of course, it is far out on the pointy end, thus magnifying the moment arm. But jerry jugs lashed to the lifelines on deck aren’t exactly in racing trim either. The whole pitching issue is much more relevant for racing than cruising, unless the boat design itself is unsuitable for ocean cruising. Also, think realistically about how many crew will be on board. The vast majority of cruising boat in the mid-30' to 40' range sail with two regular crew and maybe a third crew for long passages.
I do a running informal survey of cruising boats we meet: "What is your passage planning speed?" Most boats plan passages at 5-6 knots, but for the performance designs above 50 feet, e.g. Sunder .. When discussing factors that affect passage speeds, bow anchors are rarely mentioned. Some examples of factors commonly discussed are: Weather conditions, shortening sail at night, attentiveness to sail set and trim, and a light wind threshold for motoring.
I have twice made long passages with the primary bow anchor stowed below. The difference in boat motion was perhaps better, but marginally noticeable. However, the fire drill of lugging 45# of anchor from below deck onto the foredeck (and assembling it, if a Mantus or Spade), then snaking the chain up from the depths of the chain locker, through the windlass chain pipe, around the gypsy correctly, over the bow roller, back over the pulpit onto the foredeck, attaching it to the anchor, mousing the shackle (You did remember the 316 SS seizing wire, needle nose pliers, and wire cutter for mousing, right? And they haven't slid off deck?). Now you are ready to get all of this from the foredeck out over the pulpit and then back up into the bow roller. How are you going to manage getting 45# anchor plus 10-15# of chain over the bow? I almost dislocated a shoulder doing this as we circled in a remote anchorage.
You could just throw it all overboard; you'll be spot-repairing the gelcoat later on anyway. And remember you are doing this while your crew at the helm is driving the boat, anxiously watching your efforts and simultaneously looking out for possible obstacles around the boat. If conditions are benign, the stress is merely about deploying the anchor. If the conditions are not so benign, adding wind, wave chop, current, coral heads or rocks and reefs, etc., then stress factors multiply.
So, I suggest some practice runs. First, disassemble the bow anchor-rode assembly and stow for sea. Do this at the dock. Decide where the anchor will live for the passage and be sure it's lashed down tight. You don't want a 45# missile launched inside if the boat takes a bad fall off a wave. Now, redeploy the anchor onto the bow roller while at the dock: But Do Not Use the Dock. Do it all from deck. If that goes well, then do the same exercise, but this time go out on a cruise.
I see the OP is from Seattle. So secure the anchor below while at the dock then sail over to Port Townsend. Now, while motoring around in doggy circles out in front of Boat Haven, assemble and deploy the anchor. Dodging the ferry adds to reality.
In my opinion, the bow anchor on the bow roller is the safest and most convenient place for it to live permanently for most moderate displacement sailboats. Yes, this gives up a bit of performance advantage, which you may or may not notice, but that is far outweighed by the safety and convenience of not needing to assemble and deploy it in a new and unfamiliar anchorage."