Hi Sean..John M here. I do in fact have an access port in the side of my centerboard trunk (very observant Jim). When I bought my boat the cable was broken and the centerboard was in the down position at the boat yard. My first project on DreamTime (should have named her nightmare) was to replace the cable which I accomplished pretty easily through my little inspection port. We were able to get the big swedge tool in there and crimp onto the existing pendent. Let me know if you want any pictures.