Glad to know that. I have been a frequent member/visitor of a number of message boards for years and occasionally need help with a 'weird' issue. I will not be in the water for a couple of more weeks but I had this happen a few times last year and seems to be getting worse (more frequent) from what I remember. I have a '91 Chaparral 20' with a 5.7 DP. I have owned the boat since 2000 and it is in generally very good shape despite having over 1,000 hours. Original owner did some very nice and tasteful tweeks including custom ski pylon, custom stainless props and engine output somewhere in the 340-350 HP range. FYI - it can easily out accelerate a friend's Master Craft with or without a skier (or 2). Top end is right at 55 MPH per GPS.
Here is the problem. It starts and runs fine but I noticed the problem when trying to teach my son to ski. Once the engine is warm and you have used it it a while it is reluctant to come out of neutral and into gear (particlularly when doing it over and over again - such as teaching someone to ski). I either have to put it in gear very gently and idle for a few seconds (not easy with a beginning skier trying to hang on) and then accelerate or I can try to accelerate as is normal with a skier. When the second option is chosen (it is preferred) it may or may not 'catch'. It will either spin as if in neutral and then SLAM into gear or I (once noticing this) I will throttle back and try again.
As I said it is only really an issue when trying to teach new skiers and there is no such problem when cold. There is never a problem once you are moving. Sorry for the long post.
Suggestions? Thanks very much in advance.
Here is the problem. It starts and runs fine but I noticed the problem when trying to teach my son to ski. Once the engine is warm and you have used it it a while it is reluctant to come out of neutral and into gear (particlularly when doing it over and over again - such as teaching someone to ski). I either have to put it in gear very gently and idle for a few seconds (not easy with a beginning skier trying to hang on) and then accelerate or I can try to accelerate as is normal with a skier. When the second option is chosen (it is preferred) it may or may not 'catch'. It will either spin as if in neutral and then SLAM into gear or I (once noticing this) I will throttle back and try again.
As I said it is only really an issue when trying to teach new skiers and there is no such problem when cold. There is never a problem once you are moving. Sorry for the long post.
Suggestions? Thanks very much in advance.
