boat wont go in gear

[wcwbuilderman]

got out on the water last night before dusk, so I could see. I think I hit a submerged tree stump that knocked the prop into the ladder. Now the boat starts and idles fine, but will not go into gear. Any suggestions? I just got the boat two months ago and it's ran fine until now. Definitely not looking forward to first mechanic bill.

 

[steelespike]

Re: boat wont go in gear

Most likely you damaged the shift mechanism.Are you saying the lever won't move?
or it moves into gear but wont turn the prop?This could be prop related but if an I/O it is more likely I/O related and you will do better in the I/O secton.If an outboard it needs to be in the right section.Won't hurt to examine the prop and gearcase for damage.be sure to give all the info regarding your boat motor etc.

 

[QC]

Re: boat wont go in gear

Yeah builderman. Welcome aboard!

I want to double up what steelespike says. I'll move this if I can figure out what the real problem is. We need to know if you can shift and the propshaft actually turns, but the boat won't go, or if nothing happens when you shift at all, or if the shifter won't move. be as precise as possible. The more info the better.

 

[wcwbuilderman]

Re: boat wont go in gear

thanks guys, I appreciate all the help I can get. The boat is a 16 ft 4winns marquise 170, with a mercruiser 140 I/O motor. It has the commander style shifter on it. When I try to shift into drive or reverse, it just revs up, like the throttle only button is stuck. Before my "accident" you could feel a bump when you shifted into drive, now it smoothly just revs up, without the prop turning

 

[QC]

Re: boat wont go in gear

Still could be a seriously spun hub. You know the clackety, clackety sound of not moving the shifter far enough? Can you make it do that? It is still possible that it is shifting from what you have said so far, doesn't sound like it, but maybe. There may be no "clunk", if the propeller was free spinning.