I just changed out my prop to a 4-blade 5-pitch prop. Stock prop is a 3-blade, 7.1 pitch. It's on a Tohatsu M8 (2-stroke 8 hp). This new prop gives me much more meanueverability as the 3-bladed variety is only for boats up to 3,000 pounds. I have a H26 that is closer to 5,000. When I go into reverse in anything more than a fast idle, the engine pops up almost completely out of the water and is ineffective. I'm sure this is a safety feature in case I hit anything, but I'm not the least bit interested in maintaining this safety feature since I have a rudder and a swing keel that will stop me long before the prop hits anything. Anyone got any ideas or experience in keeping the motor down when in reverse? Many thanks!
Outboard popping up in reverse
- Thread starter Rich L
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There Should Be a Lock Lever
There should be a locking lever near the hold-down lugs that will lock the motor in the "down" position. It is designed just for that. Otherwise, whenever you use any throttle in reverse, it will cause it to rise.
There should be a locking lever near the hold-down lugs that will lock the motor in the "down" position. It is designed just for that. Otherwise, whenever you use any throttle in reverse, it will cause it to rise.
Can't find such a lock-down lever
Maybe I don't know what I'm looking for, but I practically turned myself upside down and falling into the watertrying to find such a lever without success. All I could find was the lever that locks it in the up or halfway down position. It prevents the motor from falling down, not coming up. Appreciate your quick response, Paul.
Maybe I don't know what I'm looking for, but I practically turned myself upside down and falling into the watertrying to find such a lever without success. All I could find was the lever that locks it in the up or halfway down position. It prevents the motor from falling down, not coming up. Appreciate your quick response, Paul.
Look for lever while shifting gears
I have a Tohatsu 9.9. If you look between the motor and the mounting bracket while shifting between forward and reverse, you shoud see a long rod with a U shape bracket on the end moving up and down while you are shifting. On my motor, this bracket engages the mount to keep the motor from lifting up in reverse. It might me that if the motor is running too fast as you shift into reverse, then it lifts up enough to miss the engagement before the U shaped bracket has time to fully engage in the mount.
I have a Tohatsu 9.9. If you look between the motor and the mounting bracket while shifting between forward and reverse, you shoud see a long rod with a U shape bracket on the end moving up and down while you are shifting. On my motor, this bracket engages the mount to keep the motor from lifting up in reverse. It might me that if the motor is running too fast as you shift into reverse, then it lifts up enough to miss the engagement before the U shaped bracket has time to fully engage in the mount.
I'll check
Thanks dg. I didn't check on the forward or sides of the motor, only on the aft side of the motor I'm using a remote control - don't know if that makes a difference. I guess it shouldn't. I don't recall such a rod extending down from the transmission shift lever on the motor, but it's worth a check. Won't be till Sunday though. Will post back.
Thanks dg. I didn't check on the forward or sides of the motor, only on the aft side of the motor I'm using a remote control - don't know if that makes a difference. I guess it shouldn't. I don't recall such a rod extending down from the transmission shift lever on the motor, but it's worth a check. Won't be till Sunday though. Will post back.
dg and Paul are quite right...
... all outboards that I have seen/used/worked on have an automatic lock to prevent this from happening. There is a linkage that engages when you shift into reverse, preventing the rear up. With the motor off, shift from forard through neutarl into reverse. keep flipping as you look at the area aft of the mounting bracket and you should find something moving up and down. Usually it is some kind of hook that flips over a transverse pin. Good luck!
... all outboards that I have seen/used/worked on have an automatic lock to prevent this from happening. There is a linkage that engages when you shift into reverse, preventing the rear up. With the motor off, shift from forard through neutarl into reverse. keep flipping as you look at the area aft of the mounting bracket and you should find something moving up and down. Usually it is some kind of hook that flips over a transverse pin. Good luck!
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