J-42 Throttle Cable

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Patrick Powers

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Mar 30, 2026, 7:59:34 AMMar 30
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I am planning to replace my throttle cable on my J-42 this Spring. It is worn and binds up when trying to shift in and out of gear. It is hard to know when you are in neutral and that makes it tricky to start and significantly raises the level of difficulty docking.

Does anyone know the length and a source to order a replacement? I am away from my boat and hoping to order one before I get home next month. 

Thank you for your advice. 

Patrick

PATRICK POWERS
J-42 Anoria 

Dennis Boyd

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Mar 30, 2026, 7:38:16 PMMar 30
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Patrick, 

I am in process of attempting this.     I have purchased the Lewar new level, as noted in this group discussion.   It is availalbe at Defender   "Lewmar Complete Shift Control Mechanism - 89400108"    The handle attachment is a bit different than existing, but I think it will work, if I can get the old one out.    Everything is rusted and frozen on the pedestal cap and old handle.

I also ordered cables, also from Defender.    They come in 1 ft increments.    When I looked at mine and measured,  I noted that one was longer than the other.   Didn't seem to be an issue as it just give more lenght to make the arc/radius to exit under  base of pedistal and curve back into engine compartment.   I am not sure if the longer one is a good or bad thing, but making gentle curves are i think important.    The longer cable was 15 foot.    I think I could have gotten away with something shorter, but ordered two at 15 foot.    I think these are the correct style,  Defender has two brands.    I ordered the Uflex MACHZero Universal 33 Series Style Engine Control Cable brand  Item: #2185667 | Part Number: MACHZEROX15.      I am going up to boat tomorrow and will be there all week.    I hope to just look at what I have and lay them out and see if they would work, correct ends etc.    Not sure if I will have time to install this trip. 

Hope this helps.    Happy to get feedback from anyone else who has done this. 

Dennis
Jaywalker J/42

Dennis Boyd

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Apr 2, 2026, 10:11:14 PMApr 2
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Hello Patrick, 

throttle cable update.    15 foot is not long enough.   I got the old ones out.   I will measure them tommorrow, but the 15 foot just didn't leave enough play if I followed the existing routing. 

Dennis

Patrick Powers

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Apr 5, 2026, 7:15:43 PMApr 5
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Thanks for sharing the lessons you are learning on this project. I appreciate your help. Please let me know the correct length when you can.
 

Thanks,
Patrick
From: j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com <j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dennis Boyd <dennis....@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 10:11 PM
To: J/4X Owner's Group <j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [J/4X-owners] Re: J-42 Throttle Cable
 
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Dennis Boyd

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Apr 8, 2026, 3:37:06 PMApr 8
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Patrick, 

Apoligize if this is a duplicate.  i've replied a couple times, but I've not seen it come up.   So just briefy.    I measured 20 ft,   but I think that is too short.  so I have 22 and 24 ft cables coming and I will be back up to boat in about 2 weeks.

Dennis

Patrick Powers

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Apr 8, 2026, 4:00:23 PMApr 8
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Thanks for the update Dennis. Good luck and please keep me posted on your progress.

Patrick
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On Apr 8, 2026, at 3:37 PM, Dennis Boyd <dennis....@gmail.com> wrote:

Patrick, 

Chris Leo

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Apr 8, 2026, 4:28:21 PMApr 8
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Hey all - I’ve noticed my J/40 throttle is a bit stiff. Is this most likely a lever/hinge issue, or a cable/engine issue?

Chris

Dennis Boyd

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Apr 9, 2026, 9:53:00 AMApr 9
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Chris, 

I will let others, more experience than me help you troulbeshoot.    For me, the parts are about the cost of a spin halyard, and are perhaps original, or at lease decades old.   I just replaced it all.    As they say, your mileage may vary.    I been told that the shifter does fail / or handle get ripped off.    If you disconnent the cables, I think you should be able to move them by hand.    But, I am a new owner, and not a wise as many on this forum.

Dennis
Jaywalker #6
J/42

Patrick Powers

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Apr 9, 2026, 11:50:55 AMApr 9
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Chris,
I disconnected my cable at the engine and was able to move both the shifter as well as the transmission with the cable disconnected. 

So, it appears to be the cable where all the friction is coming from. I plan to replace it next month.

Patrick
J/42 Anoria
Annapolis 


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On Apr 9, 2026, at 9:53 AM, Dennis Boyd <dennis....@gmail.com> wrote:

Chris, 
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