I feel a chump but....

[DannyGee]

Can anyone out there help me please ??

I have just taken ownership of a 19ft Pacific 550, with Yamaha 60hp outboard. (It was left to me in a will, of all things) The last time I was on a boat I was about 16 years old (15 years ago!). The thing is this.....

It has electronic ignition & when I try to start her up, she revs really really hard (out of gear obviously) I can lower the revs by easing the throttle forward gently, but I can't get her into gear? The throttle stick is sat there on it's own & appears to operate the gears as well as the throttle, whereas the last boat I was on had 2 sticks I'm sure or even a button on the stick to click her in & out of gear..

This stick seems totally alien to me & if anyone out there can offer some advice as to where I'm going wrong & prevent me careering into the pontoon I'm moored on currently I'd be very grateful ??

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[Evadne]

In the absence of more expert help (or helpful neighbours or marina staff?) I think you want to find out where the gear linkage is on the outboard itself and trace it back to its control. It may be that the single stick is indeed throttle and gear control, but that the gear cable has jumped out, or fallen off, although I think you're right in saying that most engine controls are two levers or a lever and a button (to disengage the gear cam).
Personally I wouldn't recommend going anywhere in a boat without understanding a bit more about how to fix it when it stops in the middle of the harbour, especially if there are other boats about who expect you to know what you're doing. Getting a hundred yards and permanently stalling could be highly embarrassing, not to mention a long way to paddle back! Have fun!

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[Rick]

I think you'd be well advised to get someone to show you around your boat, and how to use it.

From the problem you describe, it seems you are starting by pulling the lever all the way back (or up) - that corresponds to full throttle in reverse - Idle is at the mid point of the lever travel.

If you have the standard Yamaha control, then when you reach the idle position, pushing the base of the lever into the control "connects" the gear shift mechanism. Pulling it out disconnects, and allows you to have a wider throttle setting than the "fast idle" lever for cold starts - that's the little lever above the key that you can raise to vertical. Of course. if you hacen't got the Yamaha control, you'll need to determine what the process is for connect/disconnect of gear shift.

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[DannyGee]

Dave/Rick, thanks for you rinput so far, they've helped....I'm getting the general impression that you think I'm completely irresponsible, but I'm not I was aware that the control stick is the sort you pull out to disconnect the gears & have managed to start her up fine, I'm just struggling to get her back into gear, rather than using a rather dangerous "trial & error" technique, I thought I'd see if anyone here could obviously point out what I was doing wrong. I have a boating work colleague willing to assist me, however he has proved somewhat tricky to tie down to a definite date for a walkthrough. Rest assured guys that until I know what I'm doing & am comfortable with her, she remains moored up out of harms way....thanks for all your help so far.

<hr width=100% size=1>In a ridiculous attempt to pacify her, he named is boat after his wife....

 

[Evadne]

Anyone who has the intelligence to ask for help can't be completely irresponsible, so no worries there. It's just that after twenty years I'm still finding things out about my boat, and it gives me the shivers to think of someone setting out to sea in a boat without knowing anything about it .... except that's exactly what I did! Mind you I didn't have a 60hp monster bolted to the transom.

To expand one of my comments, I've had a lot of help and advice over the years from fellow boat owners, none of whom I knew from Adam before I spoke to them. Most of us are both friendly and inquisitive. I'd go down there on a Sunday and "potter around" on board for a couple of hours, investigate the workings of the boat, polish her, talk to your neighbours and see if any of them are able to help more directly.

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[DannyGee]

Thanks v much, I will go down there & ask around, like I said the boat owning colleague is proving elusive at the mo, so I'll have to bite the bullet & admit to being the novice that I am in public.....I look forward to many safe & happy hours on her in the future...

<hr width=100% size=1>In a ridiculous attempt to pacify her, he named is boat after his wife....

 

[bruce]

sounds like your motor is not returning to idle after starting, would take cover off motor and look at where cable attaches to carb linkage to see if cable returning all the way to idle, then look at linkages for insects housing obstructing movement, then look at choke to see that it is opening up when motor warms. some single lever controls require button pressed to change gears etc, they also have a mech that increases rpm by pushing lever sideways. this sideways movement may be stuck open, allowing too many rpm if not used in several years. look for a owner/shop book on your motor for help. have used both single and double levers and would never go back to 2 lever system.

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[Trevethan]

Better to let them know you are a novice andask for help than prove you are one by putting the bow of your boat through the side on someone else's at full throttle!



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[DannyGee]

Yeah, fair play to that.....Anyway guys thanks for all your help so far, with the weather coming in down here over the next 3-4 days it's going to be a while before I get the chance to do anything.....

<hr width=100% size=1>In a ridiculous attempt to pacify her, he named his boat after his wife....