gear shift cable replacement

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motivator
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:07 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X

gear shift cable replacement

Post by motivator »

Hello:
I have a 2000 Macgregor 26X with the 50 HP honda BF50 A . My shift cable broke yesterday and needs replacement. It was fun on the water reaching down to the engine to shift while getting back to port. Anyway; does anyone know what the length of that cable is and perhaps a part #? :macx: :?:
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Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: gear shift cable replacement

Post by Tomfoolery »

If I recall correctly (didn't record it, though), the Honda uses so-called 'universal' cables. Like this Teleflex 3300. https://www.wholesalemarine.com/tfxtrem ... rol-cable/ Or this UFlex. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/uflex--m ... ecordNum=1 The higher quality cables can take a tighter bend without binding, which is important for the Honda since the cables come out the front and get a pretty tight bend when the engine is tilted back.

I don't remember the length, but they're stock items at any West Marine, and online of course. Since you have to take it out to replace it anyway, just take it out and measure it.

And I would replace both at the same time (they're both the same). If one is worn enough to break, the other is likely to be in bad shape, too, and the throttle is the last cable you'd want to break, in a docking situation, under power. :|

Oh, you can probably get the make and model off the old cables. I doubt they're actually Honda parts.
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mac n cheese
Chief Steward
Posts: 99
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:52 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Calgary, Alberta, 1997 MacGregor 26X, BF50D

Re: gear shift cable replacement

Post by mac n cheese »

For my BF50D I purchased a pair of the following @ 13 ft. Uflex Universal 33C Style Control Cable Mach Zero.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/291785073875?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

From my research they make premium cables. 13' should give the wiggle room and bend radius you need.
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