On our new to us 30Ultra, it is very difficult to shift. I suspect I need to replace the shift cable, but I thought I would check with this group before embarking on that to see what more experienced owners recommend.
Thank you for your help
Our boat has a Westerbeke 35D3 engine.
Bill Randall
SV Helen K NS 30U #380 Miami FL
I have the same issue with my somewhat new to me 26 with a Westerbeke 21, so am also interested in possible answers. There is a lot less room to see what’s happening on the 26.
Jon
Bill,
I had the same trouble, and replaced the cable a couple of years ago. That fixed the problem. FYI, my boat has the same engine.
Because everything was apart to replace the shifter cable, I decided to replace the throttle cable at the same time. Both were original, and dated 1987.
Don
Don’s providing a total solution.
An interim solution is to see if lubricating the little lever and parts nearby that the shifter cable connects to on the engine. That was sufficient with my first N26 with a Westerbeke 21, which was a little balky but not impossible.
I don’t know enough about the engine and transmission to know if there’s a risk that the problem goes deeper, but Don’s suggestion is certainly the best place to start.
– Bob
I think the problem is that the cable is almost 40 years old and the inner steel cable runs through a plastic sheath. Over time it develops wear points inside the sheath, which in turn causes friction, resulting in difficulty shifting.
It could be some friction on the shifter lever itself at the binnacle and needs lubrication. I checked this first, but lever moved freely when cable was disconnected. Same at the transmission.
The cables are relatively inexpensive, I paid about CA$100 (US$65) a piece for them. The cable I used was a SeaStar CCX63310 10ft. I think a 8ft cable may have worked, but distributor didn’t have any in stock when I did this. And I think SeaStar is the same as Teleflex, company changed ownership over the years.
Getting the cables out at the binnacle is a bit tricky, but doable. You do not need to remove the steering components, although I did take the steering wheel off to make it easier to access the binnacle. Edson manual has some helpful info on this too.
Hope this helps,
Don
I posted pictures of a shifter cable replacement on Soave 2 years ago… It’s not hard, just a bit finicky getting to the shifter side. Plenty of helpful videos on this.
To diagnose a bad cable, disconnect it from the transmission. Operate the shifter at your helm and see if it moves smoothly. Cross your fingers that it’s a bad cable…. much preferable to a transmission issue.
If it the cable checks out OK, manually operate the lever on the transmission while the engine is idling to see if it shifts as expected. If is shifts smoothly while not under load avoid shifting while under load. Another possibility is whoever installed it got the something wrong while routing the cable and it not pushing the lever on the transmission at the right angle and it binding a bit at the end of the cable.
Good luck,
Rob….
I’d take a stronger position: except in case of emergency, always throttle down and give it a sec in neutral before shifting. Saves wear and tear. IMHO.
– Bob
I want to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions on my shifting problem. Very helpful.
Thank you,
Bill
Mine was very hard to shift when it came into my possession as well. The problem was solved in my case by a bit of 3/4” plywood used as a spacer to align the cable with the shift arm. I planned to replace it with something more “seamanlike” but it works so well I never did.
Edit: Looking back at the picture I’m thinking 3/4+1/2 for 1 1/4”.
If you do replace your cables, try to find Felsted. They are just better cables.
I am slowly progressing with my rebuild of the Edson pedestal. All went well until I tried to remove the 4 bolts holding the compass support and the whole top of the unit together. They are seized and so far I have not been able to loosen any of them. Before doing something I may regret I thought I would check with other owners to see if anyone has some helpful solutions. My first inclination is to cut the tops off the bolts to allow disassembly then take to the pedestal to my local machine shop to see if they can remove the bolts or drill them out and rethread them. I appreciate any insight you may have on this.
Bill Randall
Helen K NS 30U Miami, FL
