Broken Throtle Cable Ruins Beautiful Day

[Joe Myerson]

The season is rapidly coming to a close. Today I took advantage of a sparkling clear October afternoon to get in a quick sail. Winds were light, but weather was perfect. On the way off the mooring I noticed that my shift lever seemed really stiff.
Sure enough, when I started up the engine at the end of the day, the engine got up to speed, but when I tried to throtle back, I felt a SNAP. The engine continued to run at high (not top) speed. I was able to get back to the mooring, but could only run at fast, throw the shift into neutral and finally pull the stop cable and coast to the mooring.
The throtle cable had snapped. My question:
Can I replace the cable quickly and easily, or should I call Sea Tow, bring the boat to the yard for haul-out and have them replace it. It's just about time to haul out anyway, but the weather is GORGEOUS right now, and I know that October sailing is a rare pleasure.
Any advice?

--Joe

[Neil Gordon]

You don't need to haul the boat to replace the shift cable. Why not a tow to Parker's and fix it quickly in the water.

[Jim Walsh]

At least it was kind enough to to fail close to home in mild conditions.
September and October are great sailing months.....it should be a fast fix so you can still get some sailing in this season. Good luck.

[Keith]

Why not try to throttle it down at the engine. not ideal but should work in a pinch. Leave the engine top hatch open and reach in to move the throttle as need to increase or decrease revs. Familiarized yourself with the location of the throttle when the engine is cold. I occasionally have to reach in to move the engine shutoff back to the open position. it sticks early in the season then is fine as it loosens up a bit after a bit of use.

[Neil Gordon]

>>Why not try to throttle it down at the engine....<<

Exactly how they did it on my heavy cruiser 45 years ago! Lynne's going to be thrilled when you ask her to help you with this one!

[Joe Myerson]

>>Why not try to throttle it down at the engine....<<

Exactly how they did it on my heavy cruiser 45 years ago! Lynne's going to be thrilled when you ask her to help you with this one!

But they had an engine-room crew and a "telegraph."

Still, i'll do some checking.

--Joe

[Neil Gordon]

>>Why not try to throttle it down at the engine....<<

Exactly how they did it on my heavy cruiser 45 years ago! Lynne's going to be thrilled when you ask her to help you with this one!

But they had an engine-room crew and a "telegraph."

Still, i'll do some checking.

--Joe

Sure, but before that, they just yelled down a brass tube.

[Jim Walsh]

Don't listen to them, Joe. You may be the one getting "throttled".

[Bill Goldsmith]

The season is rapidly coming to a close. Today I took advantage of a sparkling clear October afternoon to get in a quick sail. Winds were light, but weather was perfect. On the way off the mooring I noticed that my shift lever seemed really stiff.
Sure enough, when I started up the engine at the end of the day, the engine got up to speed, but when I tried to throtle back, I felt a SNAP. The engine continued to run at high (not top) speed. I was able to get back to the mooring, but could only run at fast, throw the shift into neutral and finally pull the stop cable and coast to the mooring.
The throtle cable had snapped. My question:
Can I replace the cable quickly and easily, or should I call Sea Tow, bring the boat to the yard for haul-out and have them replace it. It's just about time to haul out anyway, but the weather is GORGEOUS right now, and I know that October sailing is a rare pleasure.
Any advice?

--Joe

Did the cable actually snap, or did the cable slip out of the linkage? If it slipped out of the linkage, then you may only need to replace a machine screw and plate and you'll be back in business. If the cable snapped, it's not that difficult to replace. You can look in the CD manuals available on this site for the original model. Or you could disconnect the cable and bring it to a marine engine shop and buy a matching replacement. It's not that complex a job, usually the toughest part is contorting yourself to get access. If all else fails, have a mechanic change it for you while still in the water. Don't give up the last few weeks of the season over this!!

[Squid]

Two seasons ago... Similar story.. My last underway before the winterize dance. Got underway and about 10 feet from the dock and "Clink".... no transmission. We maneuvered to a piling and warped the boat back into her slip....

Anyway, that winter, the one two years ago that sucked real bad, I spent some time under the pedestal replacing both linkages. I called Edson and they were VERY helpful in explaining the process. In fact the owner happened to be working the service desk that day and walked me through the process or replacing the linkages. The repair is not difficult just very time consuming because of "It's on a boat" thing. Access to the area etc. .... If you want send me a PM and I would be more than happy to let you know how or what it took to repair. It's an hour eater so I opted NOT to pay the yard and did it myself.

[Bill Goldsmith]

Two seasons ago... Similar story.. My last underway before the winterize dance. Got underway and about 10 feet from the dock and "Clink".... no transmission. We maneuvered to a piling and warped the boat back into her slip....

Anyway, that winter, the one two years ago that sucked real bad, I spent some time under the pedestal replacing both linkages. I called Edson and they were VERY helpful in explaining the process. In fact the owner happened to be working the service desk that day and walked me through the process or replacing the linkages. The repair is not difficult just very time consuming because of "It's on a boat" thing. Access to the area etc. .... If you want send me a PM and I would be more than happy to let you know how or what it took to repair. It's an hour eater so I opted NOT to pay the yard and did it myself.

I wholeheartedly agree that replacing the throttle cable to a pedestal is a bigger job, and quite an hour-eater. I did that on my 32. Joe's 25D probably has a cockpit-mounted throttle/shifter, which is materially less involved to replace a cable. I am not familiar with the exact anatomy of the 25D, but it should be a matter of leaning into a cockpit locker and disconnecting it from the dry side of the controller on the aft end, and off the engine on the other end, and any interim cable ties or mounts that may be in place.

[tjr818]

I wholeheartedly agree that replacing the throttle cable to a pedestal is a bigger job, and quite an hour-eater. I did that on my 32. Joe's 25D probably has a cockpit-mounted throttle/shifter, which is materially less involved to replace a cable. I am not familiar with the exact anatomy of the 25D, but it should be a matter of leaning into a cockpit locker and disconnecting it from the dry side of the controller on the aft end, and off the engine on the other end, and any interim cable ties or mounts that may be in place.

That is exactly what we have on or 27. I can not imagine that the 25D would be much different. I think it would be a 30 minute job,once you had the parts.

Roberto, what say you... ????

[Squid]

Thanks Bill and understand, you are spot on.... Of note, if anyone wants to know the anatomy of the Edson Pedestal cable replacement I am, unfortunately an unwilling expert.... I also know the insulation factor the a fiberglass hull in the engine compartment of a Cape Dory...
Did you know if you spend enough time back there and breath in the cold air enough.... a bit of frost will form on some stuff... Something I simply never wanted to find out... being a SOCAL native... BUT, it got fixed straight up good...!

[steveg]

Hi Joe,

Can't you sail off the mooring and back without ever needing the engine? I do it all the time. It is far more pleasant than listening to the hammering noise the engine makes. As far as having a tow it is not really necessary. Secure a dingy with a small outboard to the side of your boat with some bumpers in the between if the dinghy does not have a good rub rail. Have the bow line of the dingy tight to the bow cleat and the stern line tight to the stern cleat, put the outboard in gear and away you go. It really does not take very much hp to move your boat. You can steer with the tiller and may require a hand to operate the outboard.

[pete faga]

Check out Joe's harbor on google earth

Tight and tidal
Sailing off the mooring might be hairy?