Outboard remote control cable angle

Hugohove

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My 8hp Yamaha outboard is controlled by a single lever remote which operates the gear change and throttle. When the engine is in the raised position the cables enter the cable bracket more or less horizontally and the remote operates the gear change and throttle without any problem. However, when the engine is lowered to its running depth, the angle at which the cables approach the cable bracket becomes sharper and no longer move freely. Is there any type of device available which would smooth out the approach angle of the cable to one which would allow the cable to move freely?
 
If it's because the engine is too close to the transom to allow the cable to exit properly then there's not a lot you can do. I certainly haven't seen any devices that change the angle. If it's not the closeness to the transom that is the problem then it can only be longer cables that are required.
 
Hi Alan, thanks for the reply. I think that it is primarily because of the closeness of the bracket to the transom. Over time, this has stressed the end of the cable and the hard plastic casing of the cable has started to part from the metal fitting. I've decided to experiment with a short piece of stiff hose jubilee clipped over the end to see if that improves the angle sufficiently to allow the cable to run freely. Great website, by the way. I hope to be able to visit some of the Solent harbours later this year.
 
I fitted a 9.9 to my boat, it resides in a locker. The cables come out of the engine, into a locker in front of it, through a tight 180 degree turn, come back into the ob locker, do another tight 180 degree turn to the controls on the front of the locker forward of the outboard well.

Unfortunately I don't have a picture to hand showing the cables, but all works easily. The cables line up well with the engine and controls.
 
Thank you David. Perhaps my cables are past their best. Yesterday, I put a two-inch piece of reinforced garden hose around end of each of the cable ends, secured with jubilee clips. This appears to have solved the problem as the cables are now running freely. I'll add a photo later.
 
This is the arrangement on my boat, it works. Sorry for the delay in posting, although it is only 4 metres from my back door to the boat, I was getting home too late and it was dark. Glad you have found a solution.

N.B. my outboard does not turn.

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I think the most important thing is to keep the curves of the cable gentle and have a straight path onto the cable brackets, the bends are tighter than I would have liked but have not been a problem so far. Mine are new cables bought at the same time as the outboard. My outboard does not turn. It was a very tight fit in the outboard well.

Have your cables been lubricated? I am told this can destroy some linings.
 
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Hi David, thank you for going to the trouble of posting the photos. I've added one of my own solution which appears to have done the trick. Yes, I did lubricate the cables with three in one type oil when I bought the boat last year as the controls were virtually seized. I hope that it hasn't done any damage but it seemed like the logical solution.IMG_20170207_130537030_HDR (Custom).jpg
 
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