Hi all, I'm the process of swapping out engines on the mac and have a couple of questions:
Is there a standard throttle cable length on a 26x? Where does the the throttle cable usually run as "standard"? At the moment I think it's a Bodgit and Scarper job, running out of the binnacle and across the cockpit deck to the engine. I'm guessing the engine was replaced at sometime and the previous owner just used the cables given with the engine. Looking at the holes near the battery (in the binnacle) I can only assume they are supposed to run down to the rear berth, across the roof and out the starboard stern quarter, leading to the engine. It's a pain in the rear having them drag over the cockpit deck, bit of a tanglefoot and that was before I opened the bottle...
Thanks,
Steve
Hi Steve
I replaced my engine last year, and I found I needed 12ft cables. They normally follow the same route as the steering cable until they reach the stbd-aft corner of the berth area, which is where you correctly surmised they exit. The electrical cables should run the same route. When everything's installed you can cable-tie it all together to keep it neat.
Are you changing the control box as well? If so that entails replacing the electrical cables, which are wired into the box. One of the standard plugs on these cables is a large round affair, and you can't get it through the piece of pipe that takes the cables through the cockpit floor without first removing the steering cable! It's actually best to get all the motor cables through first, then feed the steering cable through. You should be able to disengage the steering cable from the helm inside the console.
Although from your description, maybe there's separate ducts for the motor and steering cables on your boat?
There's a write-up of my engine-swapping experiences in issue 75 of the magazine - you can download it from the Magazine section of the site.
Have fun!
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Thanks again for the info Rick. Next task is to swap the engines whilst moored, this will be fun :-)
Might be easier - and safer - on the trailer :-)
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight