THROTTLE AND SHIFT CABLES
Boating|October 2022
Cable throttle and shift controls still dominate the boating market for outboard, inboard and sterndrive engines. Cables from brands such as Dometic Marine (previously SeaStar) and Uflex provide smooth, reliable service for years, even decades, but they might eventually wear out, corrode or otherwise lose optimal functionality. Here's what to look for when deciding on replacement throttle and shift cables for your boat.-Jim Hendricks
THROTTLE AND SHIFT CABLES

WHEN TO REPLACE 

"The control lever should move smoothly and freely," says David Wolfe, product and support manager for Dometic Marine, whose cables dominate the US boating market. "Typically, if the movement is stiff, sticky or causes clunking when shifting, it's time to replace the cable." Also, if the lever does not repeat a shift command (such as forward, neutral or reverse) at the same position or angle every time, it often means the cable is wearing out and requires replacement, Wolfe advises.

Rather than replace just the one suspect cable, boaters are advised to replace both the throttle and shift cables at the same time. One faltering cable serves as a signal that the other might not be too far behind.

REGULAR OR PREMIUM

There are two grades of engine control cables: standard and premium versions.

Dometic calls its premium series Xtreme, while Uflex calls its the Mach series.

Uflex also offers standard cables, but Dometic is gradually phasing out its standard version, which uses a solid metal core.

However, you will still find some under the SeaStar brand in retail distribution.

The premium versions are more expensive. In Dometic's case, the Xtreme cables cost about 15 to 20 percent more than its standard cables, but they feature splined cores. The ridges of the splined core glide back and forth in a lubricated HDPE liner that allows for smoother control than standard cables and without sacrificing precision in shifting and throttle control, Wolfe says.

PERFORMANCE BEND

Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Boating.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Boating.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BOATINGSe alt
AFFORDABLE SATCOM
Boating

AFFORDABLE SATCOM

Communications devices using satellite technology are more abundant today than any time in the past. What's more, many are portable, ultra-compact, affordable relatively and designed for boating, dispelling any perceptions that you need a big, expensive dome antenna aloft to access satellite communications.

time-read
2 mins  |
August/September 2023
IN THE BEGINNING
Boating

IN THE BEGINNING

REPOWERING FOUNTAIN HULL NO.1

time-read
8 mins  |
August/September 2023
NAVICO GROUP FATHOM 2.0
Boating

NAVICO GROUP FATHOM 2.0

Engine charging at 48 volts could be a game-changer.

time-read
3 mins  |
August/September 2023
PROPS FOR INNOVATION
Boating

PROPS FOR INNOVATION

Sharrow MX3 propellers live up to most of the company's performance-improvement claims.

time-read
3 mins  |
August/September 2023
MERCURY RACING 500R
Boating

MERCURY RACING 500R

Supercharged power for a variety of boats.

time-read
2 mins  |
August/September 2023
FLIPPING THE SWITCH
Boating

FLIPPING THE SWITCH

Much reporting focuses on reasons why one might choose electric marine power. The issues of range, speed, noise levels, winterizing and ethanol challenges, lake restrictions, environmental concerns and more all must be resolved on an individual basis. Little gets said about how a boater choosing to repower with electric actually gets that accomplished. Is it DIY? And if not, how does it get done?

time-read
2 mins  |
August/September 2023
TOW-VEHICLE TECH
Boating

TOW-VEHICLE TECH

If it's been a while since you bought new tow vehicle, you might be surprised by the many built-in advancements in trailering technology. New tow tech ranges from integrated weight scales and adaptive suspensions to systems that automatically back up your truck to hitch up your trailer. Here are a few examples to look for. -Jim Hendricks

time-read
2 mins  |
August/September 2023
MONUMENTAL TIPS FOR BACKING A TRAILER
Boating

MONUMENTAL TIPS FOR BACKING A TRAILER

Three Boating greats offer advice for a perennial reader query.

time-read
2 mins  |
August/September 2023
STICKING POINTS - Anchoring alternatives, and why you will always need a traditional anchor.
Boating

STICKING POINTS - Anchoring alternatives, and why you will always need a traditional anchor.

My brother-in-law likes to fish offshore reefs, and the process once entailed navigating to a mark, dropping a float, and idling upwind or up-current to drop the anchor in hopes the set would drop us back to the float.

time-read
3 mins  |
August/September 2023
FOR WANT OF A CLAMP
Boating

FOR WANT OF A CLAMP

When 100 miles from shore, home and help, this boater’s preparedness prevented potential catastrophe.

time-read
1 min  |
August/September 2023