outboard remote cables

I am fitting new cables to a boat I have just bought,
I have access to buy a couple of cables that are a bit longer than I need.
Is it possible to put a slow loop in the cable to take up the excess length?
I've fitted cables on motorcycles in the past,and run them to lose the excess
with no problems.
The new cables are 12ft long,the originals are 9ft.
I will be clipping the cables up to keep them neat and out of the way.
The box and levers and cables are a job lot,and a bargain.

 

How about testing how small a radius you can use without the cables binding, and be guided by that ?

 

The two common cable sizes are 33c and 43c cables, the 33c being quite small and usually used for controls, throttle etc. The 43c, considerably stiffer would be more of a steering cable depending on the application
To use up 3 feet, the loop would have to be 1 foot in diameter and that is extremely tight and will cause the inner wire to rub and create excess friction with the result of the liner wearing out very quickly. The minimum bend radius for the 33c cable is 8 inch which means a 16 inch loop. But the 8 inch radius is normally a 90 degree bend and this adds friction so when you do a whole loop, this will quadruple the friction, probably even more.

A 3 meter, 9 foot cable would cost 20 Euros from Gaelforce marine in the UK
small price to pay.

 

I'll give that a try Mr E,good idea

 

Thanks Barry,I'll have a look at Gaelforce marine.
The cables are Evinrude,and are both the same(throttle and gearshift)

 

I'd concur with / \ , and probably change the cables to the correct length. The key is the ease of run and how the cables set when the steering is from lock to lock. Also not unimportant where the cables sit in relation to people damaging them when getting on or off the boat, or dragging people over the side, if used as a safety boat, dive boat or rescue/recovery. There's quite a range of lengths available.

The teleflex steering cables require a bigger radius and really reward an easy loop with longer life, even if heavy duty steering boxes etc are used. It is very dependent on useage how long any of these cables actually last, but a sweet run always helps.

 

Hello again SS,
Thanks for your advice.
I have managed to get a twin lever control box,both cables and the clips I needed.
The chap I bought them off fitted the cables in the control box and put the clips on the engine end of them.He was very helpful with the cable lengths I needed.
There are stainless steel guide rings just below the starboard gunnel where the steering cable fits,with plenty of room for the control cables.
The cables will be up out of the way of the deck etc.and be tucked up against the inside of the boat.
All I need now are 3 SS lock nuts and bolts to fix the box on the carrier at the steering end.
Once again,thanks for your input.
"V"