Remove the reverse gear?

[chrismcw]

Just bought an old 16 ft. center console with a 50 hp Honda outboard that runs fine. Unfortunately, the engine is missing the tilt motor and doesn't have a lock to keep it in position - so it can't be run in reverse (at least not without the propeller trying to climb its way out of the water).

I just learned a new tilt motor will run me about $1600 installed. Not sure whether it makes sense to spend that kind of money on a 1997 engine. My concern is that if the control were accidentally knocked into the reverse position, the engine might kick out of the water and hit someone in the boat. I was thinking about just removing the reverse gear or disabling reverse in the control. Does that cause any of you any heartburn?

I keep the boat on a mooring so I don't really risk running it in to a dock.

[aj bruno]

If money is tight look around for a rebuilt pump, or try and find one and rebuild it. Check ebay etc... You will need reverse some day..

[lowcountry-sc]

My old Johnson 70 didn't have a tilt and trim motor. It would kick up if you gave it to much gas but it would still be able to pull the boat back. My trim and tilt was a 1x4 bungeed to the motor.

[lakensea]

Other than the dock or another boat, reverse is the only brakes that a boat has.

Gary

[dwg2116]

This requires a little more thought on your part.

Think about what you just said.

"My tilt motor does not work, so I think I will remove my reverse gear so as not to cause myself any problems."

Hmmm

If money is really that tight, I would bungee the motor into the down position, and just leave the reverse gear intact, as it should be.

Small racing hydroplanes use bungees to hold the motor down, I don't see why you couldn't also.

[rwidman]

If money is really that tight, I would bungee the motor into the down position, and just leave the reverse gear intact, as it should be.

If money is that tight, I would suggest a different hobby.

BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand

PS: THat boat will be pretty unsafe without a reverse gear. And if you hit something or somebody and it comes out that you removed the reverse gear rather than repairing the motor ....................................

[flyau98]

Use a bungee (or a couple) hooked through the holes in the motor bracket that are designed for the trim pin (if it has them). Most of the small boats I used to have didn't have power T/T and we usually kept the motor unocked so it could kick up if we hit something or the bottom...as long as you don't gas it hard, you should still be able to back up slowly without a problem. Either way, if the motor does kick up, unless someone is leaning on it, how will it hurt them?

[pooldoo73]

Flyau has the solution you should try. Even use a piece of small dia. rope so it would stay down under reasonable force and still be able to pop the rope if you hit something underway.

[Martino110]

Don't know Hondas, but I'm willing to bet that like most other outdrives removing the reverse gear is not an option. I don't believe that most lowers would work without one. You have to figure that the prop shaft goes through it, and it rides in bearings, etc. Can't imagine you could really do this.

[Kamper]

I had a motor with a destroyed reverse lock. I was just careful about using reverse until I got it fixed. There is an advantage to a motor rigged this way. When you hit something it will most likely jump enough to avoid major damage. If you want to insure against accidental reverse it might be simpler to install a bolt or plate, behind the control lever to restrict the movement (K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Swabbie).

Keep an eye on the 2nd hand motor racks at your local dealers and marinas. You may find something with a compatible unit. Depending on the condition, the dealer may allow you to strip out what you want but worst case, you'd aquire some interesting spares.

Good luck!