Surfriding Why don't Trim cables last?!?!

Tkmww

Tkmww

Tanner M.
Location
Jacksonville, Fl
Going to be putting in my 2nd cable in soon. Don't think i even made it 6 months before it was useless. I have an X-metal trim setup. I ride in the surf. Any tips you have found that make these last longer? The main problem i see is that it is a stainless cable but the wrapping is normal steel which rusts quick. An all stainless would be sweet!

I will be wrapping the cable with tubing to protect it better because it seems to get beat up in the hull.

Any type of lubrication that you know of that will make the cable last longer?

I know the xmetal guys say they lube their cables after every ride and they ride fresh water.
 
Waternut

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
How is it failing? Is the housing failing internally from rust and causing bad friction or is the cable actually breaking/fraying?
 
Tkmww

Tkmww

Tanner M.
Location
Jacksonville, Fl
looks like the outer case was rubbed or hit and started rusting. Which is why im gonna wrap the next one. Friction is a factor. Almost impossible to move.
 
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OCD Solutions

OCD Solutions

Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
Location
Rentz, GA
My Sato is doing the same but has still lasted over 2 yrs. I caught it rubbing early and put a piece of heat shrink over all the rub spots to beef it up. I would reccomend doing the same to your current one and then to mark and do the same to the next one before you install it.
 
augustaf

augustaf

Location
central florida
These cables have been in use for over 15 years, used originally in tilt down applications. R-pot in Havasu had a splendid idea: use hydraulics instead of a cable (sim. to mountain bike Megura). Just about that time racing started to die a slow death and tilt up nozzles were just being thought of (first invert by RR in 96). R-pot sort of faded away due to lack of business and mechanical cables became popular. Stainless core as well as casing is of course possible, why none do it is the big question. Yamaha does not do it for their steering cables either. As for me, I reject lubricating a cable for each use as out of hand. Sadly all the cables I've seen so far just don't make the grade.
 
Aircraftsalz

Aircraftsalz

Thrust built Dasa Power
Location
Off site
My Thrust cables have always lasted! But your correct if it rubs the rubber off it will fail quick riding in saltwater...

I have ran clear tubing on the inside of my hulls before around the motor & waterbox...

I would hope yesterday you didn't use trim! J/K
 
augustaf

augustaf

Location
central florida
hopefully that will alleviate some of the failures, had to cover my steering cable where it rubs against the waterbox outlet and the hull just before that. That seemed to work well.
 
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Berky

Berky

Location
Fl
Tanner try corrosion X and massive chaff protection that's what I going to do if I use trim again in the surf, along with a Thrust cable .
 
lilracer94

lilracer94

Location
Cape Canaveral, Fl
A buddy just taught me a little trick. First wrap the wire in another protective coating of your choice to prevent external friction wear (plastic tubing, heat shrink...you choose). Then duct tape one end of the cable to a shop vac. Hold the cable upside down and turn the shop vac on. Then drip oil or wd-40 (any anti-corrosive) down the cable. It will suck the oil through the line and provide excellent protection. It may be messy but your cable will last. The guy that told me this trick has been riding salt only for 5 years and has never replaced a cable yet. Where you run your cable is also important so you don't get friction wear.
 
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Tkmww

Tkmww

Tanner M.
Location
Jacksonville, Fl
I wrapped from the lever to the through tube with black tubing and seems to be working great on protection. I have been doing the air hose and wd-40 and seems to be working well also. Still moving pretty freely after a month and a half.
 
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