Engaging outboard motor clutch

[BobT]

Reading another thread about the likelihood of a worn clutch dog on an outboard got me to thinking and I thought it would be good to bring this up.

I bought a used outboard once and soon after ended up replacing the clutch dog. In the process a marine mechanic informed me that the clutch dogs often wear out prematurely due to operator error. He said that a very common mistake made by boaters is trying to ease the transmission into gear. There is really no clutch per-se and when you shift into forward or reverse you are actually engaging a live, turning gear into a dead gear. If you try to ease it into gear you will undoubtedly grind the gears and wear them out prematurely.

Solution: Don't be a pansy about shifting an outboard into gear. In the long run it is better for the lower unit. With the engine at idle, the prop turns easily and doesn't present much resistance when the gears try to mesh and so they will engage just fine.

Bob

[boatfixer]

Absolutely correct Bob

On the thread you mention, that is a 2 lugged dog and actually the lugs are rounded to begin with. Very important to get that baby into gear without grinding. Some newer, larger shifters, in fact even have a negative degree cut to help "lock" into gear.

Your point is a very good one, no grinding.

[PierBridge]

That you used to be one of my pet peaves when I was into Water Ski-ing in my younger days. You could tell them or demonstrate to people a MILLION times but they could never get the hang of it. They would always do it slowly and the grinding sound would just tee-me off like no-other!

Thanks for the Vent Bob ...

[PerchJerker]

Great point and I agree 100%. And I like the way you described it ..... don't be a pansy