Steve,
I had the same problem a number of years ago. I spoke with Edson, and they told me that you really can't lube the cable effectively. If it is binding for any reason, it should be replaced.

I just went through this exercise. The cable cannot be removed from the housing hence I couldn't figure out a way to lubricate it. I installed a new one and it has made a huge difference in how smooth the gear shifter now works. Too bad the boat is out of the water for the winter and I won't really be able to enjoy it until next spring.

Rick Verbeek
1999 C36 #1763
Toronto

Steve,
I have had good luck lubricating the cables with motor oil. Just remove the compass to get access, and apply a few drops of oil on the cable above where it comes out of the sheath. It will slowly soak down into the cable, and in a day or so the cable will operate much easier, in my experience.

I dip the end of a screwdriver in oil and then touch the clinging drop to the cable so oil only gets where I want it, and generally work the cables a few times to help get the oil into the sheath.

On aircraft we deal with Teleflex cables like the one used on our boats often.

The cables are not really made to lube but, we have had good success by disconnecting the cable, finding a short piece of hose that fits over the end firmly, slipping the other end of the hose over a pump type oil can and pump the lube into the cable until it come out the oposite end. We have had the best luck with a teflon lube like Triflow.