[C320-list] Throttle and shifter cables

[kskis at aol.com]

I too have had throttle cable issues.  My cables seem to be in good shape and when disconnected from the engine work very smoothly.  In an effort to get the throttle to not "creep" down from max rpms I have tightened the adjusting screw inside the binnacle.  I have also tried the "c clamp" in a number of locations and still have the same issue.  (also not crazy about pinching the cable). Result is either it's too stiff at low rpms where I need to "work it" when docking/maneuvering or it's too loose at max rpm setting.  Can't get it "just right."  I have decided I'd rather keep it looser and use a velcro strap to hold it at high rpms when cruising than too stiff for docking/maneuvering.  I have also tried wd40 on the throttle arm on the engine but the spring on it seems just a bit too stiff for ideal adjustment.  I have considered replacing the cables but not sure if I wouldn't still have the problem.  My cables are 5 years older than the recommended replacement time for salt water (10 years per Edson).  However, I think careful inspection should show the majority of potential problems with excess wear, yes?  Another question:  Edson recommends keeping the cable as short/direct as possible.  My Harmony has both cables doing a 2' "circle" against the cabin wall prior to entering the deck/bottom of the binnacle.  I get no movement anywhere when the cables are actuated.  Could this be a cause of my issue?  I am skeptical.  Neil Kornblatt 2004 Harmony #973


-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Tue, Aug 6, 2019 10:08 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Throttle and shifter cables

Thanks, Doug. That was helpful.

I think I’ve located the correct cables at, believe it or not, West Marine. WM has Teleflex control cables that appear to be correct in 13- and 14-foot lengths. $50 each, which is not out of lie with other stores.

Looking more closely at my cables, though, I see that they are not suffering from corrosion or meat hooks that could cause catastrophic failure, i.e., losing the throttle or shifter at the wrong moment.

Instead, the system seems to be gummy, for lack of a better word. So I’m using WD 40 and silicone spray lube to try to loosen things up before I decide whether to replace everything.

Also, like other people, I need to adjust the tension on the throttle so it doesn’t creep back when I have the autopilot set and I’m away from the helm.

I’ll have to see how it all goes today.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320, no. 529
Tierra Verde, Fl.
Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Doug Treff
Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2019 7:53 AM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Throttle and shifter cables

5 years ago, I had to do my shift cable. While in there, I replaced both
cables. You do NOT want to do this job more than once, so go ahead and
spend the extra $40 and do both cables while you're at it. Here is a
link on how to do this process. Assuming you have the Edson pedestal,
this would be the procedure. The below deck part would obviously be
different, but the steering pedestal part is the most difficult and
non-intuitive part. The rest is fairly straight forward.

http://spartina.blogspot.com/2009/05/replacing-throttle-and-shift-cables.html

The process in the web link is for a different make/model of boat, but  it was 
the same for me.  And I was able to do my own cable replacement and save the 
yard bill. 

--
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On Fri, Aug 2, 2019, at 9:46 AM, Jack Brennan wrote:
> Hello all:
> 
> I want to replace my shifter and throttle cables, which I believe are 
> original and don’t move easily. But my local Yanmar dealer has gone 
> dumb on me and can’t provide the right replacement cables. The manual 
> also doesn’t appear to say what they are.
> 
> Does anyone know the length and type of these cables? I’m guessing the 
> shifter is 12 feet and the throttle is 14. Teleflex or Morris are the 
> likely manufacturers.
> 
> Thanks in advance, as always.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320, no. 528
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> 
>