Whether you're swapping out old shift and throttle cables or installing new controls, getting the right cable length is key to smooth, reliable performance. Ordering the wrong size can lead to frustrating installs and performance issues, not to mention lost time and money.
Here’s a quick guide to the standard method for measuring control cables. Shift and throttle cables run the same route from the control box to the engine, so measure once and order them as a matched pair. If you are not sure the old cables need replacing yet, our guide to what to check on boat control cables comes first.
What You’ll Need
- Tape measure
- Pen and notepad (or phone)
- A general idea of your boat's rigging route
Step-by-Step: Measuring Your Boat’s Control Cables
If you are replacing cables that already work, the simplest method is to pull one and measure its outer jacket end to end, then order that length. Measure the route only when there is no old cable to copy.
1. Start at the Control Head (Helm Side)
Find where the cables connect inside your control box; that’s your starting point, and the loop the cable makes inside the box counts. From there, follow the intended route down through your console or helm station and along the boat’s rigging path.
2. Route Through the Boat
Measure the path along the gunwale, through rigging tubes or chase paths, back to the outboard engine. Be sure to follow the natural rigging route, including bends or turns, and avoid taking any shortcuts.
3. Stop at the Connection on the Engine
Measure all the way to where the cables connect on the outboard, following the loop the cable makes to reach the throttle and shift levers. Add a little extra length if you have a jack plate or plan to tilt your motor frequently; this gives the cable room to move.
Standard Cable Measurement Formula
Once you’ve measured the full routing distance in inches, divide the total by 12 to get feet. Then round up to the next foot; control cables are typically sold in 1-foot increments.
Example:
If your measured route is 176 inches:
176 ÷ 12 = 14.67 feet → Round up to 15 feet.
Pro Tip: Round Up, but Only to the Next Foot
Too short means tension, binding, and cable wear. Too long is not harmless either: excess cable has to go somewhere, and coils or tight bends add friction and lost motion that show up as a vague shifter and a throttle that does not return cleanly. Round up to the next foot and route the cable in wide, gentle bends.
Need Help Choosing Cables?
If you're still unsure, contact us with your motor model, control box and measured length and we will confirm the right cables. Suzuki OEM throttle and shift cables and remote controls are in the catalog, and if you are moving a DF9.9B, DF15A or DF20A from tiller to remote, the tiller-to-remote conversion kit comes with its own cables; our tiller and remote mounting guide covers the rest of the rigging.