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My shift cable on my 2006 Honda BF-50 failed as I was docking the other day. The outer sheath had cracked slightly from getting kinked once last year and I had kept an eye on it but evidently it failed because it had internally rusted the steel cable sheath and it parted at the worst possible time the other day. I was docking against winds and current. Took a minute to figure out what happened but once I realized what had happened I was able to shift the engine by manully pushing the cable back and forth. Easily replaced the shift cable and the throttle cable next day because the throttle cable had some sheath cracks evident. My boat is only four years old so I was surprised at the failure. Everything was operating fine, no drag in the shifter or throttle lever. I was planning on replacing the cable soon anyhow because of the cracked sheath, just didn't think it was in that bad of shape.

What cables did you use for the replacement?

Ken

And where did you get them?

I took the old ones off and took them to a local boating discount store. They apparently are a standard teleflex cable. Each one was about $32. You have to reuse the fittings on the cable ends. I just counted threads protruding and set the cables back as I found them. It took me about a hour to replace both. Lesson learned is to inspect your cables and replace them if the outer sheath is comprimised.

paj637 wrote: Lesson learned is to inspect your cables and replace them if the outer sheath is comprimised.

I will add this to my list for when I get back to my boat this Summer...I hope.

I do know that the "housing" for my throttle...attached to the starboard side of my pedastal...is cracked. So after reading your post I was looking on-line to see how much a new one would cost and all the cables for it. But I couldn't quite figure out what I needed.

I might swing by a Mercury dealer and ask them about a throttle and cables just to see what that goes for.

I am thinking that if since I was able to figure out how to put in a new Teleflex steering system I can figure out a new throttle/cable system.

Cheers,
Jim

P.S. take a camera to the Mug Race...I want to see pics of my favorite sailing grounds.

Sorry you had problems. But, is there anyone out there with a Honda that has not had this problem? I am on my third set of cables. The way the Honda tilts up and the cables hit and flex at the steering bar kills the cables over time. How in the world can this be avoided? Please let me know and send pics or video. As for me, now I just tilt up the Honda 50hp 1/2 of the way and never go further up. That way the cables just barely touch the steering bar...... dumb design....... solutions?????

I decreased the slack available to get kinked but kept enough bend radius to prevent kinking. My previous kink was cause due to excessive slack getting caught up when the engine was raised and I had something else back in the area. Also, tie wrapped the cables to the electrical cables so they all move together. I cycled the motor up and down several times at various turn angles to check for free motion.

I had a simultaneous failure of the shift and throttle cables on my BF50. Lots of fun coming into a busy harbor with the motor screaming and stuck in gear. I used the Red Jacket Teleflex 12 ft cable for a replacement. I suspect this will just be a recurring probem every 3 years or so,and I will be carrying a spare set of cables to the Bahamas.

KayakDan, do you have a part number for the teleflex cable? I have a crack in the sheath near the point where the cable exits the motor. It maybe a matter of time when I have to replace mine. This is a "critical-to-safety" component.

Thanks for your help.

That is exactly where my cable failed. It was about 1/2" from where it enters the motor housing. The cable is standard and I would imagine if you go to any marine parts store and tell them you need a 12 foot cable, you would get the right one. Both ends of the cable are identical.

Part numbers from Honda Marine website. I bought the 12' length for my 2006


Teleflex TFXTREME Control Cables
Utilizes STD 10-32 threaded ends.
Length Part Number
10 feet 24910-ZW1-004XT
11 feet 24911-ZW1-004XT
12 feet 24912-ZW1-004XT
13 feet 24913-ZW1-004XT
14 feet 24914-ZW1-004XT

Wonder if it would help to put a couple of layers of heat shrink on the cables near the motor to make it more resistant to kinking and sheath cracking?

Honda Owner's Poll: Where did your cable crack and/or fail at?????

Harry van der Meer wrote:KayakDan, do you have a part number for the teleflex cable? I have a crack in the sheath near the point where the cable exits the motor. It maybe a matter of time when I have to replace mine. This is a "critical-to-safety" component.

Thanks for your help.

Harry,here's the link to Defender for the spare cables I just bought.
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=126258

Wholesale Marine has the same cable for $22.00 (half the price of Defender) plus about $13 shipping. These are standard cables and come in a teleflex box.

Another question about these cables.

Are there two cables? One for shifting and one for throttle? Or is it just the one cable?

I am researching a new throttle and I guess new cable (or cables).

Thanks,
Jim