SHIFTING PROBLEM PLEASE HELP

[rnjronnie]

Hello....

First off please

Hello....

First off please excuse my ignorrance with boats.. I just bought a used 1991 20ft bayliner bowrider... I THINK IT HAS A MERCURY 120 hp 4 cyl enjine.. not sure what kind of outdrive i dont know the differences yet... Im new to boating but fairly mechanically inclined.. anyways here is my problem...

When i bought the bought the guy said the shift linkage needed adjusted because the reverse wont engage it just chatters.. Works fine out of the water..

Took it out to the lake was going great for about 2 hours with no reverse... Went to take of in forward and it started jerking and chattering like it wasnt all the way engaged.. Got a tow back to the dock trailered it and tested it out side the water.

Without engine working the prop spins free in neutraul and appears to work fine in forward and revers. LOCKS up SO I CANT TURN...

Started the boat up and it shifts fine in reverse and forward..

IT JUST WONT SHIFT IN WATER....

Let me know what i need to do guys.. will be calling marina repair this week would like to know more about it...

thanks

Ronnie

 

[arron_d]

"I may be way off in this gues

"I may be way off in this guess but it sounds to me like the gears may not be engaging fully. With no load on them (boat out of water) it sounds like they will work fine. But with a load on them (boat in water) it's too much load for the gears and they are slipping. Like I said, I may be way off as I deal mostly with small outboards. Is there any way to adjust your shift linkage?"