Have just purchased a Nonsuch 26 which has some deferred maintenance needs. One of this is a very stiff clutch cable which will need to be replaced. I was wondering if any 26 owner who had a similar problem remembers the lengths of both the clutch and throttle cable, as I need to order new ones from Edson.
You don’t need to order from Edson. They are 33C cables and are made by lots of manufacturers. IMHO the best are Felsted. They are more flexible and easier to install. Teflon coated inside too, very smooth. The reference is a British site but they are available at many marine outlets.
https://www.cable-tec.co.uk/worldwide-supplier-of-marine-cables/
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
Check the posts on the INA archives as I posted the info, including part numbers. I got mine from a Carquest store who had them in stock.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
As mentioned remove the old and take to any auto supply, nothing special. But Paul 's are the best.
However, it’s a boat and you will need to remove the clip on the back of the pedestal and the entire wheel gear. Not a huge job. But it does involve driving out a pin and making sure the steering cables go back in the same orientation or the wheel will operate backwards.
As well the retaining bolt for the trans and throttle needs some lock tight on it as should it come loose nothing will work.
Mine fell out one day entering a harbour in 30k of wind…and it was exciting .
.
I found the post Joe’s referring to, and can save others the trouble of searching: in a post a number of years ago, he reported that his cable was " Teleflex part number CCX63308 and 8 ft long ".
Note that, as Paul pointed out, these are " 33C cables and are made by lots of manufacturers."
Note also that, because both guys included their boat information and location (hint, hint), you know that this is from N30 owners. It’s possible that the length might be different for N26’s vs. N30’s, so treat 8’ as an approximation. Also note that Joe’s US east coast, while Paul’s Canada west coast, so that might affect which alternatives are available in your area.
I no longer have to deal with this because my boat is electric and I’m now drive-by-wire rather than dependent on cables. However, my recollection is that the exact length isn’t critical – as long as they’re long enough to reach and don’t make any sharp bends, the cable should slide smoothly inside the cover.
When I scanned the old posts, one point that popped out was that stiffness in the throttle and shifter can be caused by at least three other factors on top of the cable being bad or needing lubrication. One other thing that can go wrong is that the lever mechanisms in the pedestal can get gummed, and need cleaning/lubrication. The second possibility is that the clamps connecting the cable to the engine throttle and shifter mechanisms can be misaligned or crushing the cable, both of which create a lot of friction. The third is that those shift and throttle mechanisms at the engine end themselves can be gummed up or rusty.
BTW, another point I saw while scanning the old posts, is a good reminder for anyone who hasn’t checked in a while. Someone reported that the single bolts connecting one of the levers on his pedestal sheared off, and lever simply came off into his hand. Shift and throttle levers on Edson pedestals attach to horizontal shafts and are tightened down with a single bolt. The grip of that bolt is what turns those shafts when you move the levers. I can tell you from personal experience that there’s a lot of corrosion risk in there. I saw it firsthand when I replaced those levers on mine sometime back.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
These cable measurements appear to be from tip to tip. Not the length of the sheath but the cable. I did a quick measurement on my 26 (with the W13) and this cable is very unlikely to be the 8 foot length. It is much more likely to be the 6 foot length for both the throttle and the shifter. But until I take it right out I would not be sure.
The throttle cable has a clamp to make it stiff. I dont know why your transmission cable would be stiff unless it is corroded. It is fairly easy to disconnect at the transmission end and manually move the cable and shift the tranny. That is, if you can fold yourself into this space.
Tom
26C #28 Westerbeke 13
Penetanguishene
The Edson instructions suggest that you can pull and put in the cables without taking off the chain. I was able to pull them out but finally had to loosen the chain to put the new ones in . For what it is worth, in my NS26 the throttle cable was 7 feet long(Universal M25XP), the shifter 6 foot. Those sizes may be different with different engines. Plan on loosening the chain from the start: it will save you HOURS.
Joe
NS26U
Persuasion