Hello. I'm new to the forum and for that matter, new to boating. I recently purchased a used 2010 aluminum fishing boat with a 2010 20 hp mercury outboard with tiller. I have never had it out in the water. This will be my first season.
My problem is that the tiller remains locked in the neutral position except when I depress the "Throttle Only" button located on the side of the motor. Once the button is depressed the throttle rotates freely but once I back off to neutral position the "Throttle Only" button disengages and I am once again locked in neutral. This works for reverse as well. This happens with the engine off or running. Based on the location of the "Throttle Only" button it doesn't make sense to have to dpressit every time you want to shift from forward to reverse.
The manual doesn't mention any locking device that needs to be disengaged. The manual only mentions that the "Throttle Only" button be used if the engine is flooded.
What am I doing wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My problem is that the tiller remains locked in the neutral position except when I depress the "Throttle Only" button located on the side of the motor. Once the button is depressed the throttle rotates freely but once I back off to neutral position the "Throttle Only" button disengages and I am once again locked in neutral. This works for reverse as well. This happens with the engine off or running. Based on the location of the "Throttle Only" button it doesn't make sense to have to dpressit every time you want to shift from forward to reverse.
The manual doesn't mention any locking device that needs to be disengaged. The manual only mentions that the "Throttle Only" button be used if the engine is flooded.
What am I doing wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated.