For the Nautilus V500 and H500, you will have to manually retrieve the anchor by hand. The larger Nautilus V1000 and H1000 incorporate a rachet design manual retrieval system that allows you to turn, with the aid of the supplied winch handle, the drum or chain-wheel cover to retrieve the anchor.
Yes, if you are using an all-chain rode, a chain stopper will take the strain off the windlass while at anchor. If you use a chain-rope rode, we recommend tying the rope off to a cleat; this will prevent the rope from getting wedged in the jaws of the windlass while at anchor.