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Author Topic:   Control Cable Length

tlynch posted 12-03-2003 05:40 PM ET (US)
I have searched this site but I can not find the proper cable length for control cables (Morse 3300) for a 1985 Outrage 18.
I have found that the proper control cable length for a Montauk is 20'.
I am interested in the length needed for my boat, but we might as well collect info on cable lengths for all Whalers while we are at it.
I do know that the proper hydraulic steering tube length for an Outrage 18 is 18'. I do not know if the same length control cable would work.
Todd Lynch

whalersman posted 12-03-2003 06:31 PM ET (US)
Tlynch,
I think you will find various cable lengths from different owners.. The lengths can be different if the engine is on a setback for instance. It also depends on how they are routed and how people want them to look. Also depends on the brand of engine.
I have heard that the proper length for Hydraulic steering cables is 16 feet for the Outrage 18... I have also heard 18 feet..
Many people use shorter control cables then 20 feet on a Montauk. I liked 20 feet because they performed the best, looked the best, and lasted 15 years and still going strong. This was on a 1985 70 hp Evinrude.
Maybe someone can start a collection... I have tried but still can't figure out exactly why some are different..
I belive my control cables are 18 feet on my Outrage 18. The engine is a 1985 150 hp Evinrude. I am not sure how long my Steering cable is although I know it is shorter then that by 2 or 3 feet.
On my 1978 Montauk, the Steering cable was 17 feet... Some people used 18 feet which gave them a little larger radius that stuck out to the Starboard side a little more..
What motor do you have?
Just make sure the cable is long enough as to not get in a bind when turning in either direction and not so long that it interferes with other things...
You can view photos of my installation on the Hull ID's and Hin's for Outrage 18's thread. The cables are 18 feet and again, that is on an Evinrude engine where the cables attach to the Starboard side of the engine..
Joe
Sal DiMercurio posted 12-03-2003 10:00 PM ET (US)
"T", no the steering cable & control cables are "NOT" the same length, reason is, the steering cable comes in from the starboard side of the boat, goes from the steering wheel, to starboar, down & under the deck, back up & along the starboard stern, then a hard right to port & straight into the steering bar.
Now, the control cables do the same thing until they reach the stern, but then they must make a "BIG" loop to go straight into the engine , so, your control cables need to be at least 4' longer [ minimum ] then the steering cable.
Sal
tlynch posted 12-04-2003 09:15 AM ET (US)
Does this mean that if I am happy with the 18 foot hoses for my steering then I should go with 22 foot cables for my controls?
Thanks,
Todd
whalersman posted 12-04-2003 01:50 PM ET (US)
Todd,
I think Sal misread your post... You were talking about "Hydraulic" steering hoses and he is talking about the steering "Cable(s)" that connects to the starboard side of the tilt tube. Obviously, Hydraulic hoses will be longer then the cable if you have the Center mount hydraulic cylinder..
You still haven't aswered my question about what engine you have so I can't help you any further.
tlynch posted 12-04-2003 02:14 PM ET (US)
Sorry!
I just bought a new Suzuki 140 HP 4 Stroke.
Thanks,
Todd
tlynch posted 12-04-2003 02:14 PM ET (US)
Oh, and the engine is on a 9" setback bracket.
Todd
whalersman posted 12-04-2003 03:41 PM ET (US)
Todd,
Sounds like a nice setup..
That 9 inch setback is obviously going to change things.
I don't have the answer for that. Maybe someone else will.
Have you removed your old control cables yet?
If you haven't, you could sorta use them as a guide. Tape them in place where you think they should be and measure the distance you need, more or less. Then take the cables out and measure them and add or deduct what you need.
Another way I have done in the past, is I went to my local dealer and explained to them what I was doing. They let me purchase a set of cables the length I thought I needed and then when they were a foot too short, I was able to exchange them for the proper length. Of course you don't want to ruin the box or get the cables filthy dirty..
Good Luck and let us know. The next person might being doing the same thing as you and could use this info.
Bigshot posted 12-04-2003 03:59 PM ET (US)
Yeah....what did you do with the old cables? If you can measure them go another 1' for the bracket.
tlynch posted 12-04-2003 04:13 PM ET (US)
The old cables are still on the boat. They actually fit fine with or without the setback bracket. I am not sure when I am going to have a chance to remove everything and install the new stuff - I think I will have to do it all at once. I am getting a Morse MT-3 control for Christmas (Thanks Mom!) and I hope to order the cables at the same time. I will not have a chance to get to the boat before then.
Thanks,
Todd
tlynch posted 12-08-2003 11:39 AM ET (US)
Any advice on which Morse cables to get?
3300 GOOD
33C BETTER
33C Supreme BEST
3300 Xtreme ULTIMATE
The difference in price is not all that great.
The 18' cables look good on Whalersman's Outrage. Unfortunately I will not get a chance to measure my exisiting cables so I will take a chance with the 18's.
Thanks,
Todd
Sal DiMercurio posted 12-08-2003 12:14 PM ET (US)
When ever you put something on or in your boat that takes some time to do it, always put the very best of the best.
Think of it this way, if the very best will last you maybe 3 "or more" years longer, thats the difference.
Sal
tlynch posted 12-08-2003 01:37 PM ET (US)
Thanks, thats what I figured. I picked up two 18 foot 3300 cables from surplusunlimited.com along with my Morse MT-3 control.
I will post back when I have them installed on how it went.
Thank you everyone for your help,
Todd Lynch

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Author	Topic: Control Cable Length
tlynch	posted 12-03-2003 05:40 PM ET (US) I have searched this site but I can not find the proper cable length for control cables (Morse 3300) for a 1985 Outrage 18. I have found that the proper control cable length for a Montauk is 20'. I am interested in the length needed for my boat, but we might as well collect info on cable lengths for all Whalers while we are at it. I do know that the proper hydraulic steering tube length for an Outrage 18 is 18'. I do not know if the same length control cable would work. Todd Lynch
whalersman	posted 12-03-2003 06:31 PM ET (US) Tlynch, I think you will find various cable lengths from different owners.. The lengths can be different if the engine is on a setback for instance. It also depends on how they are routed and how people want them to look. Also depends on the brand of engine. I have heard that the proper length for Hydraulic steering cables is 16 feet for the Outrage 18... I have also heard 18 feet.. Many people use shorter control cables then 20 feet on a Montauk. I liked 20 feet because they performed the best, looked the best, and lasted 15 years and still going strong. This was on a 1985 70 hp Evinrude. Maybe someone can start a collection... I have tried but still can't figure out exactly why some are different.. I belive my control cables are 18 feet on my Outrage 18. The engine is a 1985 150 hp Evinrude. I am not sure how long my Steering cable is although I know it is shorter then that by 2 or 3 feet. On my 1978 Montauk, the Steering cable was 17 feet... Some people used 18 feet which gave them a little larger radius that stuck out to the Starboard side a little more.. What motor do you have? Just make sure the cable is long enough as to not get in a bind when turning in either direction and not so long that it interferes with other things... You can view photos of my installation on the Hull ID's and Hin's for Outrage 18's thread. The cables are 18 feet and again, that is on an Evinrude engine where the cables attach to the Starboard side of the engine.. Joe
Sal DiMercurio	posted 12-03-2003 10:00 PM ET (US) "T", no the steering cable & control cables are "NOT" the same length, reason is, the steering cable comes in from the starboard side of the boat, goes from the steering wheel, to starboar, down & under the deck, back up & along the starboard stern, then a hard right to port & straight into the steering bar. Now, the control cables do the same thing until they reach the stern, but then they must make a "BIG" loop to go straight into the engine , so, your control cables need to be at least 4' longer [ minimum ] then the steering cable. Sal
tlynch	posted 12-04-2003 09:15 AM ET (US) Does this mean that if I am happy with the 18 foot hoses for my steering then I should go with 22 foot cables for my controls? Thanks, Todd
whalersman	posted 12-04-2003 01:50 PM ET (US) Todd, I think Sal misread your post... You were talking about "Hydraulic" steering hoses and he is talking about the steering "Cable(s)" that connects to the starboard side of the tilt tube. Obviously, Hydraulic hoses will be longer then the cable if you have the Center mount hydraulic cylinder.. You still haven't aswered my question about what engine you have so I can't help you any further.
tlynch	posted 12-04-2003 02:14 PM ET (US) Sorry! I just bought a new Suzuki 140 HP 4 Stroke. Thanks, Todd
tlynch	posted 12-04-2003 02:14 PM ET (US) Oh, and the engine is on a 9" setback bracket. Todd
whalersman	posted 12-04-2003 03:41 PM ET (US) Todd, Sounds like a nice setup.. That 9 inch setback is obviously going to change things. I don't have the answer for that. Maybe someone else will. Have you removed your old control cables yet? If you haven't, you could sorta use them as a guide. Tape them in place where you think they should be and measure the distance you need, more or less. Then take the cables out and measure them and add or deduct what you need. Another way I have done in the past, is I went to my local dealer and explained to them what I was doing. They let me purchase a set of cables the length I thought I needed and then when they were a foot too short, I was able to exchange them for the proper length. Of course you don't want to ruin the box or get the cables filthy dirty.. Good Luck and let us know. The next person might being doing the same thing as you and could use this info.
Bigshot	posted 12-04-2003 03:59 PM ET (US) Yeah....what did you do with the old cables? If you can measure them go another 1' for the bracket.
tlynch	posted 12-04-2003 04:13 PM ET (US) The old cables are still on the boat. They actually fit fine with or without the setback bracket. I am not sure when I am going to have a chance to remove everything and install the new stuff - I think I will have to do it all at once. I am getting a Morse MT-3 control for Christmas (Thanks Mom!) and I hope to order the cables at the same time. I will not have a chance to get to the boat before then. Thanks, Todd
tlynch	posted 12-08-2003 11:39 AM ET (US) Any advice on which Morse cables to get? 3300 GOOD 33C BETTER 33C Supreme BEST 3300 Xtreme ULTIMATE The difference in price is not all that great. The 18' cables look good on Whalersman's Outrage. Unfortunately I will not get a chance to measure my exisiting cables so I will take a chance with the 18's. Thanks, Todd
Sal DiMercurio	posted 12-08-2003 12:14 PM ET (US) When ever you put something on or in your boat that takes some time to do it, always put the very best of the best. Think of it this way, if the very best will last you maybe 3 "or more" years longer, thats the difference. Sal
tlynch	posted 12-08-2003 01:37 PM ET (US) Thanks, thats what I figured. I picked up two 18 foot 3300 cables from surplusunlimited.com along with my Morse MT-3 control. I will post back when I have them installed on how it went. Thank you everyone for your help, Todd Lynch