Shifter cable help

[SS MAYFLOAT]

My rig has the VP 280. I have 2 helms which each has one cable going to the outdrive. The cabin helm cable I replaced 2 years ago and it is in great shape. It works so freely, I had to check to make sure it was still hooked up.

Towards the end of last season, my bridge helm shifter control started to bind up a lot. While docking, I was in reverse and went to shift into forward and the end of the cable snapped off. This was a bit frightening since the boat was headed for a big stone covered bank. Luck had it I was able to crank the steering wheel and used the outdrive as a rudder to drift into a vacant slip.

When I was ready to haul out for the winter, the cable wouldn't budge one bit. So I got in the water and took the back cover off the outdrive and unhooked the bridge shifter cable. That is when I realized that the cabin helms cable was in great shape. At least I was able to get it all loaded up.

I took the old cable out and found a few bad spots in the jacket. The wire re-enforceing was rusted in each of the bad spots.

One of the issues is that the outdrive end of the cable stays submerged in water throughout the season. What I want is to find out what cable is fully corrosion free. No steel, but stainless would be best. Any ideas? BTW, it needs to be 24' long. Thanks..........SS

 

[Don S]

Re: Shifter cable help

Teleflex makes some "Extreme" cables, but I have no idea what it's made of. They are bigger in diameter and not sure how they work with the 280's.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Shifter cable help

I went right to Teleflex's website. They only mention wire cable core and for the outer lining also. I emailed them asking what material they use for the core/lining.

The cable that failed, I had put it in 2001 when I got the boat. More than likely, I'll try the Extreme cable unless I find one that is corrosion free. It seems like that would be the best top choice one could get for a cable. I just need to do some more searching. Thanks Don for the help..

 

[Don S]

Re: Shifter cable help

Those cables usually last a LOT longer than that when in salt water. Can't imagine you find much of that in Ohio.
I would also wonder WHY the outside sheath has cracks in it. That is the problem, nothing from the inside out. That rusted outer is just squeezing down on the inner core.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Shifter cable help

Those cables usually last a LOT longer than that when in salt water. Can't imagine you find much of that in Ohio.
I would also wonder WHY the outside sheath has cracks in it. That is the problem, nothing from the inside out. That rusted outer is just squeezing down on the inner core.

I'm thinking that when I haul the boat out, the water that maybe inside the cable (which no doubt that it does get in) never gets to drain all the way out. Then when it gets into the extreme freezing temps, it could be cracking the outer jacket.

 

[Don S]

Re: Shifter cable help

They should NOT be low enough after going thru the transom shield for that to ever happen. The hose on the transom shield that the cable goes thru should be aimed up and the cable and hose should be cable tied up so it is always WAY above the water line. If it is, there is no way water is staying in the cables.