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1987 Santego Control Cables

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by SNL19067, Jun 26, 2011.

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  1. SNL19067, Jun 26, 2011
    #1
    SNL19067

    SNL19067 New Member

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    We just brought our (new to us) 1987 Santego 2767 from Baltimore to Philly. The engines (twin 180's) ran beautifully but the STBD engine quits when put into reverse. My research tells me it's a lower shift cable but I believe all the cables are original and I would like to replace them, both sides, all the way up to the remote. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
    Thanks,
    Steve
  2. lionfish37, Jun 29, 2011
    #2
    lionfish37

    lionfish37 New Member

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    Almost the same issue

    I had a simnilar issue but, it still went in to reverse. Are you sure it's the cab le? I have had my boat for 3 years and still learning. Keep me posted I am going to buy new contolers and cables next year and be done with it.
  3. Capt J, Jun 29, 2011
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If the cables are stiff definately change them, and change both upper and lower stations at the same time. It's possible the engine has a spark retarder that retards the spark when shifting from neutral to reverse or foward. If it does than most likely it needs to be adjusted.
  4. SNL19067, Jul 1, 2011
    #4
    SNL19067

    SNL19067 New Member

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    Thanks for the replies! There is a local marine mechanic who looked at our boat and said the throttle/shifter cables are original and 2 of them need immediate replacing. I told him to go ahead and replace them all. He should get us done this week (first week of July) and then we should be all ready for the 160 mile trip around New jersey and up to Barnegat where we'll slip her for the rest of the season.

    We only have the one station on the flybridge so that's no problem. CapnJ...I believe you are right about the spark retarder or spark interrupter and it seems the cables have stretched and are causing this action to prolong or happen at the wrong time.

    I will repost as events unfold!

    S
  5. lionfish37, Jul 1, 2011
    #5
    lionfish37

    lionfish37 New Member

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    Steve please keep in touch. What was the cost of the cables? Mine are in need of replacement aslo. I love that boat very strong and roomy.
  6. SNL19067, Jul 1, 2011
    #6
    SNL19067

    SNL19067 New Member

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    I found after market cables (Sierra or Teleflex) online for around $17-30.00/each depending on the length. Dave, my mechanic, said he had done a couple of Santegos a few years back and it was not a fun job pulling the cables. He is anticipating 5-6 hours labor. Fortunately, the lower cables are fine so the boat does not need to be pulled.

    Do you have original trim decals on yours? I just finished removing the large blue and grey stripes from the side wit a rubber wheel. They were in very bad shape, mostly from cracking. If you ever need to remove those (or any vinyl trim or decals), the rubber wheel did an excellent job! I found it at a local auto parts store. If I can figure out how, maybe I will post before/after pics.
  7. lionfish37, Jul 1, 2011
    #7
    lionfish37

    lionfish37 New Member

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    Yes the ones on the side are all cracked up. Can you send me some pictures? My boat sat for 7 years and took a beating on the Gel coat? Do you have the original back seat? Mine was missing and woul like to build one.

    Thanks

    email address removed - READ THE RULES!
  8. lpvanscoy, Jul 7, 2011
    #8
    lpvanscoy

    lpvanscoy New Member

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    Same problem with starboard motor

    I have the same issue with my starboard motor not wanting to shift out of gear I have to slam it in and out to get back into neutral. I am running 205 hp 4.3 v6 motors. I want to change out the cables this weekend does anyone know the length of the cables? I was also thinking of changing the controls as well but I may wait until the fall for that.
  9. lionfish37, Jul 8, 2011
    #9
    lionfish37

    lionfish37 New Member

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    PM SNL19067 he will have the info you need. Please post what you end up because I will be doing the same thing at the end of the season.
  10. SNL19067, Jul 8, 2011
    #10
    SNL19067

    SNL19067 New Member

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    Control Cables

    My boat was taken for service this past Tuesday and I expect to get her back today with all new control cables. I will post all the pertinent info for you including the cost breakdown, cable lengths and, more importantly, whether or not it corrected all the problems. (STBD engine would cut out shifting to reverse and shifting to neutral was sloppy...never knew if I was truly out of gear). Our local mechanics have an excellent 40+ year reputation so I am optimistic we will be back in business and ready for the 170 mile trip around New Jersey to Barnegat!
  11. lpvanscoy, Jul 8, 2011
    #11
    lpvanscoy

    lpvanscoy New Member

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    Great I am looking forward to seeing if this fixes your problems I seem to be having many of the same symptoms. Plus like I stated I want to change my cables this weekend so the length would be a great help
  12. lionfish37, Jul 8, 2011
    #12
    lionfish37

    lionfish37 New Member

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    Sounds like a nice trip we have had great weather here on Lake Michigan. Just curious what is your top speed on your boat?
  13. SNL19067, Jul 8, 2011
    #13
    SNL19067

    SNL19067 New Member

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    Control Cables

    OK...got our boat back and put her through her paces maneuvering in tight places and such and all was well. Went to back into the slip and the STBD engine kept cutting out. I went to see the mechanic and he said he had the exact same thing...all was fine until backing into our skip. So barring any boat slip gremlins, we're back to taking her out of the water and checking the lower cables and probably replacing those.

    FYI...the STBD cables were the 17/18' ones and the port side was the 21/22' size. Keep in mind this is the 1987 Santego 27' 2767 with the flybridge.

    I will keep you posted...hopefully the news will be better next week!

    Thanks,
    Steve
  14. lpvanscoy, Jul 8, 2011
    #14
    lpvanscoy

    lpvanscoy New Member

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    Thanks for the lengths on the cables, I have a 2767 Santego with bridge as well, I am sorry to hear that it didnt solve your problem, hopefully its something simple like the lower cables. I picked up the rubber wheel today for the decals and gonna try it tomorrow after I change the cables was gonna try tonight but hit with thunderstorms hopefully tomorrow is better

    As far as top speed I just got the boat over the spring and this weekend was the first in the water for me, I did manage to get it up on plane and was going 24 MPH according to GPS at about 3000 RPM but I had to back down do to the port motor heating up a little too much (210 degrees and rising) which was caused by someone installing the incorrect riser gasket which I have since corrected. I will keep you posted on top speed after this weekend.

    What are you running for props? I have 2 standard rotation drives with 14.25 x 21 aluminum props

    What engines do you have? I have 4.3 liter V6 with 4 brrls 205 HP each.
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2011
  15. lionfish37, Jul 11, 2011
    #15
    lionfish37

    lionfish37 New Member

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    For props I got these last year and the boat will run 35-37 mph top speed.

    834851A45 Alpha 4 15 16 L H 15 X 16 LH Alum 4 BL
  16. SNL19067, Jul 11, 2011
    #16
    SNL19067

    SNL19067 New Member

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    I have the Mercruiser 180's which are inline 4's. Not sure of the props. The thing is...it's our first boat, we've only had her for 3 weeks and we've spend a hell of a lot more time fixing/cleaning than boating/enjoying! I don't mind, though...this cable thing does seem to be the worst of it and if all goes well this week, we'll be in barnegat by the weekend!

    When we bought her up from Baltimore, I never ran over 3800 RPM and that seemed to give us about 23-25 MPH and we averaged about 12 GPH for the trip.

    Did you get your cables and/or get them installed? Did you have a go at the decals yet?
  17. lionfish37, Jul 11, 2011
    #17
    lionfish37

    lionfish37 New Member

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    No on the decals going to wait till the fall. So is called a rubber wheel? Where did you get it? I am going to do the cables in the spring I hope. Mine has the 4.3 litr mercrusiers and they run great.
  18. SNL19067, Jul 11, 2011
    #18
    SNL19067

    SNL19067 New Member

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    Here is an example of what I used:
    http://decalstickerremover.com/

    The one I got (I actually went through 2 of them taking off the large stripes that start amidships and run back to the stern) was about $11.00 and I got it at a local family owned auto parts store. I am not sure if it was this same brand but it looks like the same thing.
  19. lpvanscoy, Jul 13, 2011
    #19
    lpvanscoy

    lpvanscoy New Member

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    This past weekend I set out to replace the cables on the STBD motor as I was having trouble getting out of gear. I was all set to either replace the whole control or the cables as I took it all apart and checked the cables I realized they were completely fine, then I checked the control and that was fine too, so before I started to run new cables and change the control I put it back together and you wont believe it but everything is fine, I still dont know why and probably never will. I am going to change the cables and control this fall or winter as I plan to pull the motors to freshen them up a little (previous owner didnt do much as far as maintenance to them)

    On another note I was running about 3100 rpm and going 29 - 31 MPH this weekend, still not sure of the amount of fuel I am burning because still tweaking a few things on the motors.

    I think I am going to tackle the decals this weekend, or maybe the water system, or maybe the air conditioining, or maybe rewire the dash, boy I hope thats it.
  20. SNL19067, Jul 17, 2011
    #20
    SNL19067

    SNL19067 New Member

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    We finally got our 1987 Santego to Barnegat, NJ this past Friday/Saturday. I posted a thread about it.

    The cable replacement was finished up on Thursday and our stalling while shifting problem is no longer an issue. She ran beautifully and reliably for the whole 180 mile trip. The mechanic replaced all upper and lower cables. There is still an issue with the STBD transmission where it does not always go into neutral at the detent but if I go just a tad past neutral and return it to neutral, it seems to work fine. Not perfect but for a 24 year old boat, I'd say it's something I can live with.

    Please keep me informed as you guys proceed with your boats, too.

    Steve
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