Trouble getting in gear... please help

ridindirty

Recruit
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
3
I am brand new to boating just got an older sea ray. after about two weeks on the river i am forming a slight problem with my throttle. Reverse is no problem, catches right out of neutral, however forward is a different story. I found that about 70 percent of the time I have to slam the lever hard into forward for the boat to engage, from there i can then ease off back down to no wake speeds. I have a few concerns with this... am i damaging it further by doing this... i look like a jerk near the docks... and does anyone have any idea how to fix this???????????
 

subcrx

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
197
Re: Trouble getting in gear... please help

you could seriously damage your outdrive, what kind of drive do you have
 

ridindirty

Recruit
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
3
Re: Trouble getting in gear... please help

All i know is that it is a Mercruiser 283 which i believe is an Alpha 1, when i ease into forward the you can hear the engine running it just does not engage
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,285
Re: Trouble getting in gear... please help

All i know is that it is a Mercruiser 283 which i believe is an Alpha 1,

Ayuh,..... Wrong,.. Try Again.....

Mercruiser has Never used a 283, nor the handle 283.......

Btw,..... Welcome Aboard to the forums here at iboats.com.....

Whatever your driveline is,....
It sounds like you need a New Lower Shift Cable..........Your's is Beat.....
 

ridindirty

Recruit
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
3
Re: Trouble getting in gear... please help

I know you know more about boats than I do and I am not at my boat right now but I am 85% positive it is a 283. I can picture lifting the back seat and seeing "Mercruiser 283" printed on the cover. I think Mercruiser makes a gm V-8 283, 302,305,307,327 and 350. However if its the shift cable I suppose that is niether here nor there so i guess i will try replacing that and see what happens, thanks for the help.
 

Muqwump

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
79
Re: Trouble getting in gear... please help

Try taking the lower shift cable off the shift plate and manually put it into gear foward and reverse with engine running. Also check your shift cable to the shift plate to see if it is still hanging up.
 
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