What is Round Boat Cable
Posted by Pacer Group on 16th Jan 2025
Round boat cable is a type of multi-conductor cable that is specifically built to bend in any direction. This is an essential quality for passing through tight spaces where sharp turns may be present. Think about trying to feed a large cable through a boat's hull. It is not an easy task; however, round boat cables make installations easier by allowing the cable to bend in any direction without compromising its strength or durability. As the cable is being fed through the hull, its shape contours to the shape of the hull itself. This high-level flexibility reduces the chances of the cable jamming up or getting stuck. This may not sound all that important but when it comes to efficient installations, using the right type of cable for the job matters. This brings us to a good point, why not use flat cable?
"Round boat cables make installations easier by allowing the cable to bend in any direction without compromising its strength or durability."
Why use round boat cable and not flat?
Round boat cables and flat cables are built for different general applications. Round boat cable, as mentioned above, is built to flex in any direction without damage to the insulation or internal conductors. Flat cable on the other hand can flex in limited directions and is meant for tighter working conditions. Additionally, flat cable has the insulation extruded in a different manner than round boat cable. This means that each is designed for use in specific applications. It is important to know how to pick the correct cable for the task at hand. If you need a cable to be passed through a confined space with lots of bends and turns, then round boat cable is likely the best choice.
Where does round boat cable excel?
Pacer round boat cable excels in every marine condition, especially considering those that involve tight or confined spaces with twists and turns. Round boat cable is designed to be as easy to install as possible with an emphasis on efficiency. Speaking of efficiency, Pacer took extra steps like making the insulation easy to remove as well as manufacturing this cable with a range of potential conductor options. This was done so that you can easily find the type of cable that best suits the application. Pacer round boat cable is designed to get the job done and make installations easier. Round boat cable is the ideal choice for use with sailing spars, t-tops, and poling platforms.
What separates Pacer round boat cable from other types of cable?
One thing that separates Pacer round boat cable from other cables is the use of flame retardant material between conductors. You may have noticed the yellow fibrous material when removing the outer jacket. This material is designed and installed to prevent the spread of flame. This makes Pacer round boat cable the ideal choice for safety as well. Pacer round boat cable is also easily sealed when running through bulkheads or enclosures by using liquid-tight cable glands.
How many conductors can round boat cables have?
Pacer’s round boat cable is available in a range of conductor options, from as few as two conductors up to six conductors. The complete list of conductor configurations includes 2, 3, 4, and 6. Additionally, round boat cable is available in a range of gauge sizes, from as small as 16 gauge to as large as 8 gauge.
| Cable Gauge | Number of Conductors | Colors of Conductors |
|---|---|---|
| 8 AWG | 4 | ( 4 Cond.) - Red, Black, White, Green |
| 10 AWG | 2, 3, 4 |
(
2 Cond.) - Red, Black ( 3 Cond.) - Black, White, Green ( 4 Cond.) - Red, Black, White, Green |
| 12 AWG | 2, 3, 4 |
(
2 Cond.) - Red, Black ( 3 Cond.) - Black, White, Green ( 4 Cond.) - Red, Black, White, Green |
| 14 AWG | 2, 3, 4, 6 |
(
2 Cond.) - Red, Black ( 3 Cond.) - Black, White, Green ( 4 Cond.) - Red, Black, White, Green ( 6 Cond.) - Red, Black, White, Green, Brown, Blue |
| 16 AWG | 2, 3, 4, 6 |
(
2 Cond.) - Red, Black ( 3 Cond.) - Black, White, Green ( 4 Cond.) - Red, Black, White, Green ( 6 Cond.) - Red, Black, White, Green, Brown, Blue |
What makes Pacer round boat cable superior to the competition?
Pacer round boat cable is superior to the competition for a variety of reasons such as it is designed and manufactured to be durable in the toughest marine conditions and is built with the highest level of flexibility in mind. When this cable was being designed, Pacer focused on ensuring that the insulation would not crack even after repeated bends and exposure to the environment. To be clear, all Pacer-manufactured cable products can boast that claim. The insulation is resistant to oil, gas, moisture, flame, alkali, abrasion, and acid making this the toughest cable you’re going to find.
Durability
Flexibility
Proprietary Insulation
Take a look for yourself and see just how potent Pacer's round boat cables really are. Click the button below to take a tour and find out why some of the world's largest boat builders turn to Pacer for their round boat cable needs.
