Mercury Throttle Stuck?

[dart384]

Has anyone ever heard of a complaint with a mercury outboard motor having the throttle stick or any problem that would cause an aluminium fishing boat to spin full throttle in tight right hand circles? A family member drowned because he was flipped out of his boat from this happening. I think it was a 15hp Mercury Marine outboard motor approx 1988. I really think it was a problem because witnesses say it happened twice, he was able to gain control the first time but unfortunately the second time is when he got flung out of the boat and died. From what I have learned so far, that motor "clicked" into gear, where as now they are made like a motor cycle with a spring. Do you know if that info is correct? Or could there of been something wrong with the prop? I am sorry to bother you with these questions, but it would really help my family and I to figure out what went wrong. So if you have any information, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!!!!

 

[12Footer]

Re: Mercury Throttle Stuck?

Was it a tiller control? If so, they had a tensioner on them to set the stickiness.Mine is set hard so I dont have to be back at the tiller. I installed a helm midships allong with a kill-switch.<br />My guess (and I'm not an expert),is that he fell-out of the boat with the throttle set open. Most boats with controls by the helm,have a kill-switch these days, as many a boater has lost his/her life by merely going overboard after hitting an obstruction,rough seas,or just plain lack of balance.<br />But it's allways sad to hear of someone just out having a great day on the water,not return. Messages like this one tend to stick in my memory more than anything else when I'm out there.<br /><br /><br />------------------<br />Sandbar? Sandbar? I don't see no stinking sanDBARRRrrrrr!!!

 

[12Footer]

Re: Mercury Throttle Stuck?

Sorry about the tacky tagline at the bottom of my last post.Very unappropriate! <br />

 

[dart384]

Re: Mercury Throttle Stuck?

Thank you very much for your response. All the info I can get helps out. If we have learned anything fom this incident it is wear your life jacket. He was an extremely healthy, fit 29 year old who was a great swimmer, yet he didn't wear his life vest and an accident happened that changed all of our lives forever. So please wear your life vest. God bless you!! And thank you so much!!!