I am anchoring in any were from 20 to 50 feet, the 7 to 1 is what the books tell ya. and yes a lot of people use 3/4 to 1. most quys don't carry enought rode to do 7/1 in all circumstances. if the wind is up ,yes i will use the motor to set the anchor, I drop anchor, pay out suffecent scope and then attempt to drag the anchor with the engine, depending on the boat you can feel when it sets, or have some one watch the rode you will know when it is set, Two anchors: are usually set at 45 deg. to each other a real pain, have to drop on set it then pull ahead keeping rode out of the prop. drop second, set it on a shorter scope so as not to have the first one stopping you. I have set two sometimes in narrow coves by droping a stern anchor, play out all rode pull forward set that one, drop bow anchor, back it to set ,take up slack to hang perfectly centered in a narrow cove, If you anchor you will Drag an anchor or complletely pull free, it will happen.,