That is a strange design, I think, but sort of the norm now if you look around. Even the big boys are doing away with the pulpits. I'm surprised it doesn't scratch the front of the boat on retrieval. My boat has a pulpit that the anchor is stored on when not in use. I still have someone watch it as it comes aboard to not hit the bow and to bring it up when the boats not rocking. It's just me trying not to scratch the paint
That being said, I agree, especially if you use it often. A windlass makes everything alot easier