Sloppy Gear Controls

[Sundowner Portofino]

Another niggle on the boat is sloppy gear controls.

It is not a major problem for me as I am used to them but a friend came on board and was helming and he found it hard to feel the difference between neutral and in gear.

We run Volvo KA42's with the original controls. I have read reviews of Morse controls that sound good.

But my main question is, would changing the cables sort this problem or is is a case of changing both the control and the cables.

Many thanks again all

 

[Wiggo]

Can't answer the question, unfortunately, but you're not the only person to make this observation. Hagrid of this parish (for those that remember him) complained of exactly this problem on his Targa 39 with Volvo controls, and when SWMBO helmed it one time she reckoned it was a nightmare.

 

[GrahamHR]

Changing the cables may well make changes easier, but won't remove the sloppiness. The inner cable, which does the actuation, is basically a solid "push-pull" metal wire moving in an outer sheath. Assuming there's nothing wrong internally with the outdrive(s) the sloppiness will be caused by a combination of excessive clearances in the shifter, the outdrive linkages and possibly even due to the outer cable no longer being properly mounted to the shifter or outdrive. It's a matter of checking from one end to the other.

Graham

 

[Sundowner Portofino]

Thanks Graham

The cables go direct to the inboard disel engines. I will check all connections but actually getting in and out of gear is no issue.

It is more the play (degrees of movement) in neutral. There is quite a range before either ahead or astern is engaged.

It is not a problem for me as I am used to it, the issue has come up as I am doing some exams with a friend and he was used to other boats where the movement from neutral to in gear was immidiate. Guess he could be on electric controls not sure.

If other people have had this experience then I am at least re-assured to some extent.

 

[Pendana]

If you replace your volvo controls with the Morse MT3, you will need to have an adapter plate made because the MT3 has a smaller footprint than the volvo control.
The picture shows the one I had one fabricated for mine.

Finding neutral is a lot easier now, however they are still a bit stiff - I suspect I need to renew the cables.

I can send you a drawing of the template if you pm your e-mail address.

Eddie

 

[Morpheous]

I have had both lazy and sloppy gear changes on my Portofino 31 with AD41s and DP290 drives. The first issue I had was a cone clutch gone, this seemed to make it difficult to find neutral at all. Then I had sticking controls, this was barnacles in the reverse latches - and caused a snapped cable - very inconvienient! Then other other engine got very lazy going in gear, this turned out be cos the drive was full of cheese. We had gone over a fishing line whcih caused the seals break, drive fills up with water, gear changes difficult. This year had been going much better, until last weekend when I went over another fishing line. I spose all i can do now is wait :-(

 

[Sundowner Portofino]

If you replace your volvo controls with the Morse MT3, you will need to have an adapter plate made because the MT3 has a smaller footprint than the volvo control.
The picture shows the one I had one fabricated for mine.

Finding neutral is a lot easier now, however they are still a bit stiff - I suspect I need to renew the cables.

I can send you a drawing of the template if you pm your e-mail address.

Eddie

Thanks Eddie, if we go down the MT3 route will do that if you don't mind