Sterndrive sticking in gear

[BruceK]

I don't believe I have an issue with the actuator. Questions are more of an academic exercise really.

I used to scare myself with what if questions. Now I just bury my head in the sand while holding my wallet out. Boating has become much more enjoyable.

 

[petem]

I used to scare myself with what if questions. Now I just bury my head in the sand while holding my wallet out. Boating has become much more enjoyable.

It might not seem like it but I'm actually pretty relaxed about it all. We're fortunate to have a good local guy who isn't very expensive (no travel time either) and of course all my costs are split across the three of us.

Saying that, I do like to keep some spares on the boat (relays, belts and filters for example).

On the subject of spares, I don't keep any spare fuses on board. Should I? My observation is that fuses blow for a reason and the replacement of a fuse is rarely an actual long term fix.

 

[BruceK]

I do keep spare pop out thermal fuses in case one breaks but they never have. I do not have any of the traditional replacement fuses on my boat with the exception of the drive trim.

 

[petem]

Boat was lifted this week. Guys managed to retract the cables enough to de-calcify them and give m them a good greasing. We'll re-assess the need for new cables in the Spring (I suspect my guy wasn't keen on changing them now in 40 degrees heat with no breeze and high humidity). Both have been properly adjusted and I assume re-calibrated.

Fingers crossed that will fix our problem.

Whilst the clutch cone doesn't clunk it still appears to be operating perfectly.

If I see a really cheap throttle position sensor on eBay I'll take one out as a spare.

Thanks for everyone's comments / help as ever.

 

[BruceK]

What "guys" For the cost of a lift I hope that wasnt your engineer. I'd have been furious if they didn't replace them as par for course after shelling out for a lift. (unless your lift outs are dirt cheap)

 

[petem]

What "guys" For the cost of a lift I hope that wasnt your engineer. I'd have been furious if they didn't replace them as par for course after shelling out for a lift. (unless your lift outs are dirt cheap)

Bruce, as I said in my other thread, the boat had to be lifted for anodes anyway.

I have two British guys looking after my boat, one is ex Fairline and does all the GRP, woodwork and general repairs. The other guy does the engines and more technical stuff. If they say that the gear cables are OK until the Spring (when I have maintenance planned) then I'm willing to take their word for it. Remember that these guys are literally working 70+ hours a week keeping everyone's boats going so good will is really important.

 

[BruceK]

I hear you Pete. I used to think like that too. But I soon learnt it was naive, seldom in my best interest however nice the guys were, and left me feeling like I was beholden and strapped over a barrel. Subsequently I only call on those services for items that are well beyond my capabilities. Thankfully with my systems being old and anologue and with the generous help of this board this is steadily becoming less and less. It helps I live less than 10 minutes frim the boat too.

 

[petem]

I hear you Pete. I used to think like that too. But I soon learnt it was naive, seldom in my best interest however nice the guys were, and left me feeling like I was beholden and strapped over a barrel. Subsequently I only call on those services for items that are well beyond my capabilities. Thankfully with my systems being old and anologue and with the generous help of this board this is steadily becoming less and less. It helps I live less than 10 minutes frim the boat too.

It's a little different when you're incompetent like me! And it's always harder when your boat is abroad - you really don't want to piss people off and end up at the mercy of the Spanish guys.

 

[volvopaul]

It just beggars belief these days , Pete you paid for a lift but they were too lazy to spend 30 mins per side to save you nearly a grand when your actuator burns out , crazy situation for the same of 2 split pins and a bolt to undo on the drive and the shift cover bolts . DPE cables are dead easy to change unlike the DPH .

 

[petem]

It just beggars belief these days , Pete you paid for a lift but they were too lazy to spend 30 mins per side to save you nearly a grand when your actuator burns out , crazy situation for the same of 2 split pins and a bolt to undo on the drive and the shift cover bolts . DPE cables are dead easy to change unlike the DPH .

I got the impression it was a bot more of a faff than that, i.e. having tho thread them round the back of the engines. As I alluded to in my previous reply, I suspect they're overstretched and would rather wait until the spring to change them. Still, I will be pissed off if an actuator gets damaged (I was assured it wouldn't).

Incidentally, can I check the stiffness myself by undoing the pins?

 

[Ian h]

1 of my cables locked up over winter so had to be changed, I have just had the boat serviced and had the other changed as a precaution, It was stiffer than the new cable so for peace of mind a no brainer.
For ease of changing there were 2 of us, Me inside the boat threading the new cable.