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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Alpine, Utah
    Posts
    191

    Default Hi Speed Reverse

    The other night I was out with the family. My wife was driving the boat. She wasn't paying proper attention and suddenly found herself coming at the dock at a high rate of speed. She panicked and threw the boat (2007 Mobius LS - direct drive) into reverse going pretty fast which killed the engine instantly. Luckily she avoided missing the dock. My question is can putting it into reverse going that fast hurt the boat? It obviously caused the engine to die.

    Thanks,

    Garn
    Garn
    2007 Mobius LS (Direct Drive)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Cottage Grove, MN
    Posts
    780

    Default

    if the RPMs were low it won't hurt it. If the RPM's were high (not at idle), then I've been wondering the same thing.
    2006 Outback V - Gone
    2008 LSV - Gone
    2013 other brand

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Montana
    Posts
    3,062

    Default The Submarine

    YES -
    But you'd have to be going quite a bit faster than approaching a dock

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68AOltMu768

    2007 Moomba Outback - going, going, GONE
    2015 "NOT A MOOMBA"

    Why Not? Play Hard! Get wet

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Alpine, Utah
    Posts
    191

    Default

    She wasn't approaching the dock. She didn't see it until it was there. I"m guessing she was gong 25 - 30 mph when she threw it into reverse. Could that cause damage?

    Garn
    Garn
    2007 Mobius LS (Direct Drive)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Land O Lakes, Florida
    Posts
    6,377

    Default

    It could, but since it killed the motor you might be lucky. May have to take a spin and see how it sounds and feels.
    Hey, Its Moomba time

    Its all about the dash - enjoy the dash, as that is your time between the dates
    13 Mobius LSV-sold
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Spokane, WA
    Posts
    503

    Default

    I'm guessing there's a fail safe in the tranny that will kill the engine if you try to throw it into reverse from going forward at higher than idle rpm. I would imagine that could destroy a gear train pretty quickly if not. You're probably okay since it did shut the boat down.
    2015 Supra SC400
    08 LSV - Sold
    Go big, or go home.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    442

    Default

    I actually browsed through my transmission owners manual one time, when I was looking for a fluid specification. I recall reading a section in there regarding this type of incident- Going forward and then suddenly into reverse.

    If I remember correctly, as this is from my '03 trans owners manual, that the transmission would be OK to go from Forward to Reverse in an emergency situation. Clearly, you wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis.

    Check the owners manual if you have one. Otherwise check the fluid, put the boat in the water and try it. If everything is fine, I wouldnt worry to much.
    2003 Outback, Assault EFI, (6) Polk Audio DB651s, JL Audio M6600 amp, JL Audio M1700 amp, JL Audio 10w6v2 subwoofer

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    colorado
    Posts
    844

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Garn View Post
    The other night I was out with the family. My wife was driving the boat. She wasn't paying proper attention and suddenly found herself coming at the dock at a high rate of speed. She panicked and threw the boat (2007 Mobius LS - direct drive) into reverse going pretty fast which killed the engine instantly. Luckily she avoided missing the dock. My question is can putting it into reverse going that fast hurt the boat? It obviously caused the engine to die.

    Thanks,

    Garn
    maybe don't say it was your wife, just another person? i really don't have anything to add.

    but i did here that Utah lake is pretty full and not nearly and dirty as usual. i had many great days there, but haven't been there for years. i remember falling in the places in middle of the lake then standing up in chest deep water.
    19 Mondo
    08 LSV, forever loved

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    North End Lake Lanier GA
    Posts
    8,155

    Default

    The boat tranny is similar to the way a car trans is, it has a reverse gear that engages to the 1st gear. Our boats are only 1 speed but it works the same way.

    Boat going forward and you pull the throttle from forward right passed nuetal into reverse can cause a lot of problems. Luckily the engine died or a fail safe shut you down or the same damage a car would have will happen, break gears In the trans.

    But in a boat since you prop is the tires in your car you can be moving forward and put it in reverse with no issues. Almost all of us do it when docking by bumping the throttle forward and then backwards. The key is make that nuetral stop for just a second. This let's the trans idle before going into reverse.

    There's absolutly no issue going 25 mph forward then going to idle for a second then to reverse. You will get a jolt a lot of cavitation and possibly a wave over the stern but mechanically it won't hurt the boat as long as you get the neutral stop for a second to allow the prop to stop sp Ning before it's put into reverse.
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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Milwaukee, Wi
    Posts
    263

    Default

    There's absolutly no issue going 25 mph forward then going to idle for a second then to reverse. You will get a jolt a lot of cavitation and possibly a wave over the stern but mechanically it won't hurt the boat as long as you get the neutral stop for a second to allow the prop to stop sp Ning before it's put into reverse.
    Yeah, if you don't want your trans to last very long. The damper plate will not last long with quick shifting. If your going 25 forward you better stop momentum and let the trans sit in neutral for a few seconds before going into reverse. When you come off plane your prop is still spinning forward, to then jam it into reverse causing an instant change of direction is not good! If your alignment is correct, it will spin for several seconds. Don't take my word for it, lift up the center floor and go for a ride. This is all info I've learned from a boat transmission specialist who regularly is rebuilding transmissions like ours because people do exactly what you described.
    Last edited by phospher; 07-11-2011 at 10:46 AM.
    08 Outback
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