Control cable failure

[jeremyshaw]

Over the years I've had a few hair raising and expensive moments with gear or throttle cables failing. Of course it always happens at the worst time - when you are approaching a dock or swinging close to another boat.

And no, our cable runs are not excessively tight bends - all to correct spec.

I looked at changing to an electronic/hydraulic system but they are very pricey and a lot of work to fit. And then I met the skipper of a 100' yacht whose system had just developed an intermittent fault...

Some mechanics say "change them every couple of years" Others say "they can go any time, even when new", so I've got conflicting advice there.

Now I'm thinking of changing to Vetus low friction cables which are multi-core, on the basis that they won't just suddenly snap, leaving you with no 'pull' and thus jammed in full ahead or whatever.

Does anyone have experience of these and any comments? Why are solid 'rod' type cables apparently fitted as standard when this seems like a much better idea?


Thanks

 

[nedmin]

Had Vetus cables on last 2 vessels one 10yrs this 6yrs,with no probs. But I do lubricate at very regular intervals.I just put a couple of drops of oil at steering position and also in engine room.

 

[alan006]

I don't know if you know but it is possible to get some morse type control cables to Commercial specification. If you ask at a chandlery they tend to assume you want leisure standard which are much more flimsey. I ordered a new throttle cable and when it arrived I could see straight away it was much lighter duty than the one it was replacing. That's how I found out. My guess is that the Commercial ones are worth the extra money for the reasons you mention. Also the price went from about £25 to about £75.

 

[jeremyshaw]

Commercial grade cables sound like another good option - thanks will look into that.

 

[scottie]

where do the cables break is it where the inner connects to the end rod or at the thread end and are the end rods bent