Is this true?

[baileyjd1]

2004 Four Winns Funship 214
4.3 Mercruiser
Bravo One Drive

Bought the boat used and this is my first boat ever. Loaded on the trailer one weekend and all was well. Put in the water the next weekend and nothing happened when turning the key. Using the great post I found on this web site I determined the problem was most likely in the gear shift area. Took to a boat shop. They stated the boat must have been turned off while in gear and this does not allow the gear shift lever to work properly (ie return to neutral). Is this true?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is this true?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,....

No drives, don't like bein' shifted, without the motor runnin', so I'd say it's probably True...

 

[Don S]

Re: Is this true?

Sticking in gear when not running is common on Bravo drives. If out of the water, just turn the prop while shifting back to neutral and you can get it out of gear easily. If it happens on the water, just pull the kill switch so the engine won't start, jump the starter slave solenoid to crank the engine while shifting out of gear. Turn the kill switch back on and go.
Forcing it into gear usually damages the shift linkage coupler that grabs the cable when installed.