? about shift/throttle cables for a boat
 

The new interior for my 13 foot Boston Whaler will be located in a different location than the previous so the throttle/shift cables are too long. Can these be shortened via DIY or should I just order new ones to the correct length ? If it matters the motor is a 30 hp Johnson with OMC controls.

I would say based on my limited experience that you would need to buy new ones. It's basically a flexible shaft that rides inside an outer sheath, I'm not sure how you would go about shortening it. You would also make it more prone to corrosion internally, eventually causing restricted movement. Corrosion made the steering on my boat hard work despite power steering, replacing the cable made it one-finger easy.

Have you done any looking on iboats? They have a great forum and are a great parts source.

New ones, They come in 1' increments.

"Measure Twice. Order Once."
For a New Installation: Measure cable routing path from control head attachment point to engine connection, as follows: Outboards:

Measure from control along unobstructed cable routing to center of outboard. Add four feet to allow for loop which provides unrestricted engine move ment. Round up to next whole foot and order required cable part number. (Last two digits of cable part number equal cable length in feet.)
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...owtos/783a.jpg

For Replacement of Existing Cable:

If you removed the old cable, measure for replacement cable as follows:
Measure from tip to tip and round up to next whole foot, if necessary (aftermarket cables are sold in foot increments).
The control cable part number contains its length Teleflex cables are usually listed as CC???XX, where XX = length in feet. Morse cables are listed as ??????-??-XXX.0, where XXX.0 = length in inches.
For example:
Part Number CC63320 = 20 ft. CC633 Control Cable or Part Number 032377-03-240.0 = 20 ft. 33C Control Cable (240" = 20')

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...owtos/783c.jpg

if they were way too long, I made a loop and ziptied them together. worked fine as long as I had the boats

Just so you follow their guidance for recommended bend radius that should be fine too.

here down the bayou the recommended procedure is... try it.. if it works, okay. if it doesn't work.. buy new shorter ones. then again... down here a roll of electrical tape, pliers and a screwdriver is considered a complete set of boat tools

You forgot zip ties!

actually that's too high tech. a roll of tie wire can be cut to any length. I still laugh 40-50 yrs later about how my grandfather fixed everything with friction tape. even to help hold on the starter of his 25 johnson

Definately buy the correct length. I used Volvo Penta cables in the race boat. Was able to use a tighter radius with them, then with the Mercury cables. Plus they felt a lot smoother.