How to measure steering cable length

In this article, we will show you how to measure the length of the steering cable of a boat and show all the calculations with examples.

Choosing the Steering Cable Length

To determine the cable length, the following lengths must be measured:

• Distance from the center of the steering box to the side of the boat (C).
• Distance from steering gear to boat transom (B).
• Distance from the side to the middle of the transom (A).

• For each 90° rope turn, subtract 0.10 m from the length.
• If the cable is attached directly to the engine, then add 0.30 m to the cable length.
• If the cable is attached with the help of special supports or brackets to the transom or the wall of the engine compartment, then subtract 0.30 m from the cable length.
• Usually, the length of the remote-control cable is indicated in feet, so the result of the measurements is multiplied by 3.28. We get the required cable length in feet. Round it up to the nearest integer. The steering cables are usually available in multiples of one foot in length.

For example, C = 0.50m, B = 2.50m, A = 0.80 m.
C+B+A = 0.50 + 2.50 + 0.80 m = 3.80 m.

• We have two 90° turns: 3.80 - 2*0.10 = 3.60 m.
• The cable is attached directly to the engine: 3.60 + 0.30 = 3.90 m.
• Determining the length of the cable in feet: 3.90 * 3.28 = 12.8 feet.
• Choosing the nearest length - 13 feet.

Rope Length Measurement

If you have the old cable available, that’s how you determine the length of the new cable:

• Cable length in meters = cable jacket length + 0.56 m.
• Rope length in feet = rope length in meters * 3.28.
• The resulting value is rounded up to an integer value.

Choosing the Length of the Gas-Reverse Cables

• Choose a place for installing the remote-control panel so that it is convenient to work, and nothing interferes with the movement of the handles and levers.
• Measure the distance from the control box to the transom (B). Also, the distance from the side to the middle of the transom (for a single-engine installation) or the distance from the side to the longitudinal axis of each motor (A). Add 0.9 m per loop to the sum of these lengths so that when the motor is turned, the cables do not kink critically.

Rope length in meters = (A + B) + 0.9 m.

For boats with a stationary motor, the 0.9 m loop is not added, since the motor is not movable.

Usually, the length of the remote-control cable is indicated in feet, so the result of the measurements is multiplied by 3.28. The resulting value is rounded up – this way we get the required length of the cable in feet.

Note

If the remote-control cables are too long, it will be difficult to control the motor in neutral due to the large play in the control cables.

For example:

• B = 2.1 meters.
• A = 0.8 meters.
• Cable length in meters = 2.1 + 0.8 + 0.9 = 3.8 meters.
• Cable length in feet = 3.8 * 3.28 = 12.5 feet rounded up to 13 feet.