Control Cable Length Puzzle

johnkom

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 26, 2004
Messages
179
Cable suppliers say to measure cable and round up to the next whole foot. OK. Original measured 14 feet, 4 inches. So I order a new 15 feet cable. It is actually 15 feet, 7 inches! 8 extra inches I could have handled but not 15! I tried it and it was jammed up into the corner of the stern. I sent it back and ordered the 14 feet cable. It is actually 14 feet, 6 1/2 inches. What gives? Are Marine measurements like lumber? Only relative and you have to know the actual dimension?

JK
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,581
Cable suppliers say to measure cable and round up to the next whole foot. OK. Original measured 14 feet, 4 inches. So I order a new 15 feet cable. It is actually 15 feet, 7 inches! 8 extra inches I could have handled but not 15! I tried it and it was jammed up into the corner of the stern. I sent it back and ordered the 14 feet cable. It is actually 14 feet, 6 1/2 inches. What gives? Are Marine measurements like lumber? Only relative and you have to know the actual dimension?

JK

I think your talking about steering cable right?

If so, I hate to say but the measurement and rounding up is for measuring with no cable to use for a pattern. I would contact the supply and ask if they can swap you out.
 

johnkom

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 26, 2004
Messages
179
I'm good. It is the upper shift cable. New cable is only 2 and 1/2 inches longer. I can accommodate that. But if a 14 feet cable is 14 feet 6 and 1/2 inches why can't they say that??

JK
 
Last edited:

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,581
Wish I had an answer for you but sure don't. Run into this issue with other things, seems we all need to be mind readers and make sure to read every little thing to try and figure out what the manufacture is saying. Sure makes it hard
 
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