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After only 3 years, my shift cable failed. The outer wires rusted out and the cable popped out of it's sheath where it meets the engine housing. It did this, of course while docking - stuck in forward - score: bow-1 dock-0) Anybody here replaced their's and have any tips and tricks? Is it pretty straight forward or am I in for some fun. Also, seeking advice on going with Honda replacement or after-market cables.
Earler yesterday, I had the engine in for a tune-up at the local Honda dealer- I pointed out the rust but the mechanic thought I was good for at least another season - wrong! The mechanic did mention that he thought the original rigger didn't have enough slack on the cables in the well, therefore, there was more sharp angle flexing. Anybody know the perfect length?
BTW, I intend to replace the throttle cable at the same time.

DoctorZ,

I think C130 had the same problem. If you look in the"Forum" listing above, and then going to "Advanced Search", you can do a search for the problem. You may also look up all of C130 (I think it was him) posts and see where it is. It was involved, but doable.

On Edit: I just remembered that his problem was a steering cable. Not a shift cable. Sorry. Do the search anyway.

Ray

Before posting, I searched for Honda +shift cables and Honda +cable and Honda +shift and nothing appropriate came up so I proceeded.

Doctor Z wrote:After only 3 years, my shift cable failed. The outer wires rusted out and the cable popped out of it's sheath where it meets the engine housing. It did this, of course while docking - stuck in forward - score: bow-1 dock-0)

Don't you mean Dock-1 bow-0? Which ever way it's now 2-0, and we're minus one anchor roller. We've had that same rust on our '02 and the guy at the yard said, "... Oh they all do that it's nothing to worry about, You can replace it next winter if it becomes a problem..."

The day started out OK but the gas tank would not prime until I replaced the bulb, tightened the inline filter, and said three 'hail roger's'. then it's off to the ramp. wind is picking up and it's blowing into the ramp at about a 30° cross and getting out was no fun, mostly due to the fact that I left the jib sheet blocks in the truck and had to get into an open slip.

As we finaly got out of the Rhoad river then the center board jammed and would no go up or down. It freeded itself after we started to turn back to the marina. Decided to try our luck and take advantage of the first good wind we had in three months.

I'll skip the high lights of heeling at 45° (the admrial will appreacaite it ), coming back in to the ramp every thing was going smoothly, there was another boat launching so we headed over to a short peir to wait. Throw it in to reverse and pick up speed. I dropped it back to nutral and continued to head straigh for a concreat wall.

Looked it over when cleaning and sure enough the sheathing on the cable was the culprit.

Uncle Jim
"when the going gets tough, the though switch to power tools" Red Green

Does this help you?

http://macgregorsailors.com/forum/viewt ... hift+cable

If his description does not help, I suggest contacting him directly to see if his experience might come in handy to help you.

Ray

Thanks Ray! Didn't think to search for throttle cable but essentially, they're the same.

How about simultaneous failure of both the shift and throttle cables? Lucky me. And it happened while returning to a busy marina. Throttle runs off uncotrollably and I can't get it out of gear.
The problem appears to be that the cable sheathing actually shrinks,exposing the inner sheathing to water,rust and overflexing.
I replaced both with the Red Jacket cables(sheathing still shrinks,but they are holding up well.) I believe they were 12 ft if I recall correctly.
Changing them is not difficult,just a lot of climing into the rear berth and climbing out. 2 beers should do it!
Best priceI found was Defender. Cheaper than WM,even after paying Fedex shipping.

I picked up a pair of Volvo replacement cables and they come highly recommended. I'm told they'll last considerably long than the originals - Red Teleflex I believe. They sure do feel smoother with the teflon lining - worth the few extra bucks considering the high stress/flex application on the Mac.

BTW, I came up with the score dock:0 bow:1 because when I hit it, the old wooden dock was crunched in a bit but the bow just needed a polish - I think the tow hook took most of the brunt of the impact

Doctor Z wrote:BTW, I came up with the score dock:0 bow:1 because when I hit it, the old wooden dock was crunched in a bit but the bow just needed a polish

I guess that explains it then. Anchor roller took the worst of it with mine. Did manage to take a chunck out of the rub rail the the roller went to the bottom.

I removed both cables to day and was looking at a way to re-mount the Honda control box. Currently it sits at 90° with the key on the lowest part and the handle right behind the wheel. Makes shifting a bit of a pain. I found the TFXtreme cables have a min bend radis of 4" I might be able to get a few dgrees of rotation out of the control box.