Difficult Throttle 1983 Sea Ray 260 SRV

[Vlwatkins]

We purchased this boat about 2 yrs ago and we're trying to restore it. We know next to nothing about boats and are depending on friends to help us out. The throttle is difficult to move - sticking? A friend says something may need to be oiled. Someone else thinks maybe a belt needs to be replaced.
Anyone have any idea what is going on? Can the throttle break if we keep using it as it is?
Advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[mwph]

First off, Welcome to CSR!

Next, there may be some here, far more experienced than I, that will tell you how to grease, adjust, or otherwise maintain the throttle cables on your boat. I may be reading in between the lines of your post but here is my line of thinking; if you are "restoring the boat", I say by all means replace it. Wether you intend to keep the boat or sell it, the issue will need to be remedied. Ideally sooner, rather than later.

And yes, anything can break if it is used in that condition long enough.

Again, welcome to CSR!

ps... I don't know where to begin with this line........."Someone else thinks maybe a belt needs to be replaced"

 

[Vlwatkins]

Maybe I should re-phrase. We want to get on the water! Another friend (I don't know if he knows what he's talking about, everybody wants to be an expert) said to replace the whole thing. From what read that could be costly and probably a project for next year.
This year we are re-doing the wood, repairing the canvas cover, fixing the leaks at the windows, repairing seats, and working on the motor.
Me...I'm excited and want to get on the water! I love this boat and I'm lookin forward to trying some of the ideas you all have posted on this site.

Thanks for your help. We'll try working with the cables first.

 

[mwph]

Maybe I should re-phrase. We want to get on the water!

Oh, O.K. Thats different then.

Sorry, I could not resist.

As for your solution, it all depends on exactly what is wrong. You see the cable is not just one that goes from the helm to the engine, like the gas pedal on a car. This one has to perform the functions of a gear shift for your outdrive as well.

The fix could be a simple adjustment. Or it could be a major job that might involve outdrive removal. But again until you know what is causing the symptom, (the stiff handle), you wont know that. As for the costs involved, It is not the cable that will be expensive its the labor. The right mechanic could make the adjustment in less than an hour. Outdrive removal and cable replacement is a whole other story.

Either way I suggest you have it repaired. If indeed the cable(s) need to be replaced and you forcefully rip it to pieces, it will likely happen when you are out on the water, far away from your trailer & your mechanic.

Hope I am not sounding like an azz, but I think this may be a case where you can prevent a serious problem. Stranded on the water, tow insurance or not, is not a safe situation to be in. Nor is it much fun.

 

[SCORPIO]

Merc or OMC outdrive?

 

[Vlwatkins]

Not at all. and thanks for the welcome! And the advice.
We'll get it looked at as soon as possible. In the meantime I'll just keep going to the marina and enjoy sitting on my 1st boat.

 

[Vlwatkins]

Mercruiser. I take it this is not something I will try to do myself. I/O

 

[mwph]

If it were just an adjustment or greasing a cable that is one thing. Check out this link below. It has a ton of information about outdrives in general. The particular page I pasted is all about cable replacement. Again, I'm not saying total replacement is needed, but if it is, I doubt you'll want to get into it.

http://www.outdriveshop.com/replace_alpha_shiftcable.html

 

[Vlwatkins]

Wow! :smt021 Silly me. I read that article and it really brings reality home. I won't be trying anything myself; or with my "drunk friend". Great article by the way. Thanks for the advice, now I wll be looking for a Merc mechanic.

 

[mwph]

Glad you looked & liked it. That was one of the first websites I "studied" in an effort to just get aquainted with outdrives. I go back there often.

Get the tech out there & see what he says. If it is more than a simple adjustment, (and IF the drive needs to be removed), have him give everything the once over. Better to spend some extra money on stuff like bellows, trim senders and the like while the drive is already off. Not to mention haul the out fee.