Plan B: just replace the cable with new
Some cables can get gummy over time. I tried the lube route with a fairly potent cable grease by something like Kable Ease but it only helped somewhat. Applying it was difficult because the cable wire was "down in there" inside the pedestal and hard to get at.
Wound up using a length of tie-wire and running the lubricant down the tie wire and touching the cable wire, then working the lever back and fourth. Lots of work for very little gain.
My pedestal is an Edson model and they have instructions for how to replace the throttle and shift cables on-line.
Edson Corp, Marine Division
146 Duchaine Blvd
New Bedford Ma 02745-1292
Tel: 508-995-9711
Fax: 508-995-5021
E-mail:
sales@edsonintl.com
My notes for the H-35 Push-Pull Control Cables
The cable is a Teleflex CC17216 [which is 16-ft long] and has “A1151” on both ends, for both the shift and the throttle. On the 35.5 the shift cable is 14 feet which would probably be better on the Legend 35 also.
http://www.teleflex.com/
It was a bit of a chore replacing the cable, a job taking at least a couple hours, but in the end it was well worth it. The shifter can be operated with one's little pinky now!
The problem with continuing to use a very difficult to shift cable is the set screw for the shifter can shear off over time; the shift lever can break if it's plastic; it puts wear on the shift lever bearing, and the cable can break.
Which brings up a near accident: a Boat was pulling up to the dock behind a large and expensive power boat and the guy's wife was at the helm. He threw me the dock line and fortunately they were going fairly slow. When she went to put it into reverse the lever broke!
Fortunately, I was able to snag a cleat and prevent the bow from ramming the stern of the power boat so it was really lucky. The sailboat was about a 40-footer so there was a lot of mass to slow down and stop in a very short distance. The shift mechanism on their boat was a Volvo one, one of those all-in-one types. Stuff can happen.
