Stripping Gears?

[brents]

Well, got the year straight on my motor finally, it is a 1960 Evinrude 10HP sportwin. My question today has to do with the way I start it. I have been starting it in gear lately. I start it with very little throttle, but am concerned I may be stripping gears starting it this way. Will starting the motor in gear cause me any problems? Thanks for your help everyone, great forum here.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Stripping Gears?

No, that won't hurt the gears at all, It would be easier on them in fact. You have a safety issue when you start that way.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Stripping Gears?

why are you starting in gear, will it not start in neutral?

 

[brents]

Re: Stripping Gears?

A couple reasons actually. When I first got the motor, I didn't quite understand the high and low speed needles, so I had some idle issues, and also I had an issue with the shift linkage so I have been a little scared of shifting while the motor was running. I actually did a few times this past weekend with no problems at all. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't hurting anything. The motor starts with practically no throttle, and no idle issues, so I have little concerns with the safety issues present.

 

[F_R]

Re: Stripping Gears?

The worst thing you can do when shifting is be gentle and "ease" it into gear. Next worse thing is shifting it at high RPMs. Slow the motor down, and shift it with a deliberate, snappy movement. Starting it in gear won't harm anything, you just don't get the benefit of having a shift. The danger of course is starting in gear at high throttle and losing your balance and falling overboard. Then the boat goes around in a circle to come back and run over you. Don't laugh, it DOES happen!!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Stripping Gears?

There was a guy that died on a lake near me this summer exactly that way. Very tragic. They say if he were wearing a life jacket he may have made it, I think any time you are boating, especially alone, a life jacket should be worn. Especially since they are no longer the huge, awkward ones of the eighties.