Shift lever backwards?

[hj5150]

Greetings,

Our new-to-us ’93 legend 37.5 transmission shifter appears to be backwards? Pushing the lever down to go forward and up for reverse? Is this normal? If not, can the linkage be re-routed?

Thanks,
Harrison

 

[Justin_NSA]

You should have a label on the pedestal. What does it read?

 

[hj5150]

You should have a label on the pedestal. What does it read?

No label, it appears to be weathered off! :-(

 

[stuartsw]

Greetings,
Pushing the lever down to go forward and up for reverse? Is this normal? If not, can the linkage be re-routed?
That’s how it is on our 2009 H36, but rotated 90 degrees. Vertical is neutral, forward is lever forward of vertical, reverse is aft of vertical.
The linkage is mechanical, connected by cable to the transmission lever. Reversing it would require more mechanical interventions than advisable for the system. Go below and examine the workings of the transmission shift lever, while a partner manipulates the command lever in the cockpit, and you’ll quickly see the challenge.
Reversing your expectations and labeling the shifting lever at the pedestal is an easier fix.

 

[hj5150]

Gotcha. . . . thank you. Gonna take some getting use to to develop that muscle memory.

 

[Justin_NSA]

No label, it appears to be weathered off! :-(

Darn. My Hunter shifts like you thought it should. You may be able to just flip the lever over on the trans. Just a guess though.

 

[hj5150]

Darn. My Hunter shifts like you thought it should. You may be able to just flip the lever over on the trans. Just a guess though.

If there's a mechanical fix, I'd prefer the shifting to be that way. Years of muscle memory while maneuvering in tight conditions is going to be hard to re-learn. I'd prefer to be looking at my surroundings than a sticker or a label.

 

[John T1594]

I had the same set up on my 1980 H30. When I wanted to put the boat in reverse I would say to my self - "Back-up, Back-up"

 

[BrianH]

I had the same set up on my 1980 H30. When I wanted to put the boat in reverse I would say to my self - "Back-up, Back-up"

That's funny John. When I got my first boat a Hunter 336 I put it in forward when trying to back out of my slip because I too got confused. After that I used to just think 'whoa' , just like you would when riding a horse. Pull back on the reins to stop/go backwards. 20 years and a larger Hunter later and I still unconsciously think the same thing when putting it into reverse.

 

[twalker H260]

Our 260 was the same when we first got it. I was able to change the connection points in the top of the edson pedestal so that up was forward. Your system may or may not be similar!

 

[hj5150]

Our 260 was the same when we first got it. I was able to change the connection points in the top of the edson pedestal so that up was forward. Your system may or may not be similar!

I hope I can do that with mine.

 

[RoyS]

Or, you could change to this: