Rigging Tube Split

[SkunkBoat]

don't the shift and throttle cables go thru there too?

That adds a little to the difficulty in that you need to make sure they are still adjusted right at the completion of the project. I'll have to defer to someone with a Merc on that...

[jasoncooperpcola]

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

don't the shift and throttle cables go thru there too?

That adds a little to the difficulty in that you need to make sure they are still adjusted right at the completion of the project. I'll have to defer to someone with a Merc on that...

If he is running SmartCraft its all digital, no cables.

[macojoe]

on my boat i bought a rigging sleeve, made from sunbrella cloth. it just zippers on! worked out great! the only thing is you have to make sure you clean it and lube the zipper so it will always work, or it will be junk when you have to remove it.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...ID=GSHOP_83058

[csvencer]

I would go with a split loom setup so you don't have to pull everything out. I have something like this on my McKee and it works great.

http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/RountIt2000.php

It's easy to work with, UV resistant and looks nice and clean.

-Svence

[jasoncooperpcola]

MJ that sunbrella rigging tube is brilliant. I did not know that even existed. Seems better than a hard flexible rigging tube because it wont mar the surace it sags on.

[RidgeRunner]

The Optimax 150 probably does not have the fly-by wire so then you have to do the throttle & shift cables as well. Still not as bad as it might seem. Battery cables, main harness and secondary Smartcraft harness if installed, pitot tube for speedometer or manual water pressure (if equipped) throttle & shift cables. If you don't spin the adjustment barrels on the control cables it should fall back in place without further adjustment. Adjustments for timing and link and sync are quite simple on an Optimax, there aren't any.. it is purely done by the computer.
All the modern Opti's can use the Smartcraft Gauges but Smartcraft does not necessarily mean it is fly-by- wire. The motors that are fly-by wire will be designated DTS - I assume it to stand for "Digital Throttle and Shift".
MJ has the best idea I have seen in a while. Xcept for the zipper, maybe use some HD Velcro?

[spareparts]

i absolutely hate rigging tubes, I've seen them cause more problems than they solve, and when you try to replace anything, its a pain in the butt. I use the spiral wrap over the rigging, if you want it to look pretty, then use the canvas thing like MJ posted, we get our local canvas guys to make them out of scrap

[macojoe]

Thanks guys!! Yes I had the same problems as he stated and id not want to go thur taking all apart, as my hands and crap are not what they use to be. This was simple and easy and looks good. A little more maintenance but heck after a day on the water your back there flushing the motor any way, it only takes a couple of min. to spray off the sleeve also.