Simplex Cables too short

[Buccaneer]

I hooked up my 57 Evinrude 35 hp to the Crestliner boat I picked up last Fall,
using the wiring harnesses and steering system originally hooked up
to a 59 Lark that was on the boat.

The old Simplex control cables are incredibly stiff, and too short to be
routed as I presume intended, going along the gunwale, behind the
rear seat back, and through their appropriate holes in the splash well panel.
The cables are currently hooked up, but they have to go across the
back seat “back rest”, instead of behind it.

Question #1 – I’ve read of a place to buy new cables at an affordable price,
but can’t find mention of it in searches. Anyone have a good suggestion?

Q#2 – Can I reuse the ends on my old cables?

Q#3 – Are the new cables “much” more limber so they’ll snake around behind
the rear seat back, thru the splash well panel, and get tortured some more
as the motor turns, and still work?

Q#4 – Any good suggestions on measuring for length of new cables, including
necessary slack for steering movement?

Thanks!

Showing seat back, but with Mercury controls, as a 20 hp Merc was
installed, and the 40 hp Lark laying in the bottom of the boat when
I purchased the package.

OMC Simplex controls hooked up, note that they’re too short to
go behind the seat back.

Not sure this is the best place for the solenoid box, but
that’s where the holes were drilled in the panel, and not
a lot of choices either.

Prepare to be boarded!

[opposedtwin]

Buc, there’s a guideline from omc. I have it at home but I’m at work. If someone else doesn’t beat me to it, I’ll post it when I get home.
Scott

[Mumbles]

Normally you measure from the box to the transom, over to the center of the motor and add on 4′ so the cables will make a large relaxed loop before connecting to the motor. Your situation might be different.

[frankr]

The cables come in one-foot increments and are available at most any marine outlet. both OMC/BRP and Teleflex/Seastar. Seastar calls them “Type 400”. They are measured from end of the brass guide tube to end of brass guide tube. Yes, they come without the ends, re-use your old ones.

[Buccaneer]

Thanks for the replies….. very helpful!
Scott, if you have the OMC guidelines, that would be great too!

Prepare to be boarded!

[frankr]

Easiest way I’ve fount to calculate the required length is to lay something like rope, fuel hose, plastic tubing, or whatever along the proposed route, then measure the tubing. Most people make the mistake of trying to use cables that are too short, resulting in too-sharp bends or kinking when steering.

[outbdnut2]

My post disappeared when I posted! Hasn’t happened to me for awhile. Maybe it will show up later with photos of my boat – same Crestliner as yours. Here’s where I buy my cables – price is good! With the Teleflex 400 series, you use your old cable end connectors:
Dave

https://www.boatersland.com/enginesystems-controlcables-tel400.html

[outbdnut2]

You have a 1957 Crestliner Viking14, model 730, but you knew that already. If you redo the rear seatback, you may want to make it be an inch or so above the aft deck like original so passengers don’t get a horizontal stripe across their back from non-anodized aluminum on the deck edge.

Here’s my 2nd try at posting photos of my boat like yours:

You have a 1957 Crestliner Viking14, model 730, but you knew that already.
Dave

[outbdnut2]

I can measure my cables for you, but I can’t get to the boat for another couple weeks or so when the snow is gone and I dig stuff out of the garage enough to hook the trailer to a vehicle – If I get in the boat with no vehicle hookup, it will tip backwards – I have almost no tongue-weight on the trailer. Yes the cables will snake around behind the seat – they are a very minor interference when removing the gas tank.
Dave

• This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by outbdnut2.

[Buccaneer]

frankr wrote:

Easiest way I’ve fount to calculate the required length is to lay something like rope, fuel hose, plastic tubing, or whatever along the proposed route, then measure the tubing. Most people make the mistake of trying to use cables that are too short, resulting in too-sharp bends or kinking when steering.

Good idea Frank. I have some 5/8″ garden hose that may be stiff enough.
Might be harder to use rope, or take more duct tape to hold it in place!

Prepare to be boarded!

[Author]

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