MerCruiser 4.3 Clutch/Neutral

[kylef]

Hi all,
Boating newbie here - after a lot of research, I have noticed that there are a lot of boats which have a button on or around the throttle lever that can be held in in order to give the boat a bit of throttle without engaging it in forward/reverse gear, like a clutch in a car.
My Stingray 190RS does not have this. Is it easy to install something like this as it is quite cold where I live and giving the boat some throttle helps to start it when I have it on the hose but is not the ideal option, especially on the boat ramp.
I have attached an image of my throttle lever.
Thanks for any advice.
Kyle

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

I'm posting because I'll get a notification when someone else responds and I'd love to be wrong about this but I believe your throttle does not have the option because your carburetor linkage is not set up to accommodate that task. I don't think you can modify your carb to do so either. Post some information about your engine and prolly someone can give you a real answer specific to your engine

 

[Scott Danforth]

Two types of controls.

With button at base of control arm, or where the whole base of arm pulls outward about 1/4 inch

If you do not have a button, grab the base of the control arm and pull outward

All I/O controls have a throttle only mode

 

[Lou C]

The old style OMC factory controls have no button but you just pull the whole control outward and you have throttle only and can manually set fast idle. So yours is probably like that.

 

[CaptnKingfisher]

Hah I'm working on a friend's OMC and had no idea. That's why I love you guys

 

[Lou C]

If it’s a Cobra just ask away I’ve owned mine 19 years so am pretty familiar with it.

 

[poconojoe]

Mine has the button. I push the button while moving the lever forward, which basically gives you neutral, then I start it. You can now vary the throttle in neutral for as long as you want or at whatever RPM you desire.
When you move the lever back to the center, the button snap back out and you are no longer in neutral.
I'm guessing your's works the same except you dont have the button, you pull the handle outward to get neutral.