engine revs but transmission no-go?

[gregski]

So on my first day out with the new boat, we launched, the engine started just fine but the boat wouldn't go anywhere. The engine rev'ed as though it were in neutral. After a quick panic, someone says "you should look at the engine". I'm mechanically inclined but this sounded stupid but I had a boat full of people becoming disappointed and I needed to make some sort of effort. I opened the hatch and immediately saw the problem.

During the 450 mile ride home, the transmission cable fell out of the bracket. Without holding the cable sheath in a fixed place, obviously nothing would happen. I just stuck the cable back in place and we were underway.

One question: can someone else check theirs? I'm surprised that this cable is just resting/wedged into a fork mount. Is there no positive lock for the mounting?

If that's the case, keep this in mind if your engine starts but you can't get it into gear.
18788

[kevkev]

There should be a metal arm that swivels around and holds it in place once the cable is in the slot. At least that's how mine are held on. I can't tell if yours has it or not by the pic.

[rdlangston13]

Zip tie should make an easy fix! I fix a cable linkage on a jeep transfer case with a zip tie once


Sent from my iPhone

[gregski]

There should be a metal arm that swivels around and holds it in place once the cable is in the slot. At least that's how mine are held on. I can't tell if yours has it or not by the pic.
Good to know. There definitely wasn't anything like that on the transmission cable but looking at the picture, I think I see something like that on the throttle cable. I'll have to investigate it further.