Measure a Boat's Control Cables
Want to replace your steering or control cables on your boat? Here is how to correctly measure them correctly. One of the worst things is to buy cables too short (or too long).
Steps
- For a new installation, measure A + B distance from the control along an unobstructed cable routing to clutch and / or throttle connection.
- Round this dimension off to the next whole foot: you will have your cable length. The cable bends should have a minimum radius of about 8” (200 mm). For outboard engine installations, it is necessary to add three feet to the obtained length, in order to allow the engine movement.
- Measure the replacement cable from tip to tip, to determine the needed length of it. When ordering, specify the cable length in feet, rounding the dimension off to the next whole value.
Tips
- If you take a string and measure it from the engine attachment to the steering wheel, round up to the nearest foot, then add a foot.
- Example 1: String is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, round to 12, then add {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} so you will need a steering cable of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
- Example 2: String is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, round to 16, then add {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} so you will need a steering cable of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
Warnings
- Outboards having too short of a cable will not allow your engine to make full turns.
