1989 Stratos 1700XL OMC Cobra Problem

[gundoc75]

My 1989 Stratos 1700XL will not go forward. I was out on the lake and shifted to forward and it didn't go. The prop is barely spinning. I can shift to reverse and it goes normal. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping it is a shift cable issue and not a sterndrive unit internal issue.

 

[Gary H NC]

Unhook the shift cable at the engine bracket.With the engine at idle see if you can shift it by hand.
Those shift cables are touchy and the do stretch and wear out.
It is most likely a cable problem or the lower unit lost forward.....Hopefully the shift cable!