How do I connect 1/4" rope to 3/16" cable

[circlelake]

I bought a electric anchor for my boat. The unit has 1/4" rope, 30lb anchor and the manufacturer told me that I cannot put any larger rope on the unit without having problems. I would like to put a length of 1/8-3/16" coated cable for 3 ft above the anchor so rocks will not cut the rope when anchored. I have very limited space for the cable to wrap around the spool inside the winch. How can I splice the rope to the cable keeping it small in diameter so it fits in the winch. I have looked at a loop on the cable but that might jam in the winch. It would be nice to keep the cable and rope parallel.
Considered other possiblities, cable, larger rope but just wondering if someone knows of a good splice.
Thanks in Advance

 

[rhett]

just a suggestion to help prevent the rope from chaffing near the anchor
slide a foot or two of rubber/nylon hose over the rope

i would not use 100% cable because if the anchor gets stuck on the bottom you will need cable cutters the get free

most anchor setups use a length of chain there, reacts better with wave motions

i'm guessing the winch also cradles the anchor?

 

[tommu56]

rhett
As he said the chain keeps the anchor moor or less flat to keep the flutes or edge of the anchor digging in.
What would be cutting the rope?
What about sliding a piece of old garden hose over the rope?

tom

 

[Oldmax]

What about a peice of Tigon tubing.

 

[SPYDERLK]

McMaster Carr sells woven Stainless Steel sleeving in sizes to match what you need. Product #1478T1 would probably be perfect. Its like Chinese finger torture stuff. Slip a length over the end of your rope and pull to tighten around the rope. Secure ends and youve got a thin supple SS jacket on your rope. McMaster-Carr

larry

 

[jenkinsph]

What about a peice of Tigon tubing.

I like the Tigon tubing idea too. It is available in diameters to closely match your rope without being ovely large in OD.

When you consider winding in the last few feet of rode with the winch it will have the full weight of the anchor keeping it taut, so 3 ft of tubing should be OK. It would be much better if you had room for chain as most anchors need it to hold a set. Is this a mushroom or river anchor? 30 pounds is a lot of anchor for a recreational boat.



Steve

 

[/pine]

30# anchor + 1/4" rode = severe mismatch

here is some information on selecting ground tackle

Ground Tackle: Selecting Anchors and Rodes by Don Casey

 

[rdbrumfield]

you can splice cable to cable, but rope to cable, I have never seen. You can do a long splice so the cable-rope stays the same size.

 

[Kfbeal]

Down here we use 5/16 chain or so to prevent oyster shells/reefs from cutting the rope in 2. The weight of the chain also helps it to continue to dig and gives more flexibility than the cable would.

 

[circlelake]

Thanks for the responses. The winch is rated for up to a 50lb anchor. I've used a 20lb anchor with a chain and have had problems at times holding. I'm fishing Milacs Lake in MN and I've been anchored in 4ft waves in 20 some ft of water. I thought I would go with a little heavier anchor because I don't have to pull it up by hand. Its a mushroom anchor so it will fit in the holder.