www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 98 Horizon w/ the volvo 3.0 and Cobra SX drive. It shifts very smooth overall. Reverse is very good. Forward has a slight hesitation before it catches. The main issue I've noticed is when the boat is moving forward at a decent speed and I back off the throttle (ex. tuber falls off) and immediately hit the throttle again to get back around to the rider. There is a "jolt" in the drive before it catches. I don't have a ton of boating experience but my mechanic thinks the "dog clutch?" is wearing down. He said it is very expensive to repair.
The issue is I had to put a new motor in at the end of the summer due to a blown head gasket. My mechanic said he would sell if somebody wanted the boat. I like the boat overall and would like to keep her. Anybody got advise what you would do? Sell, keep boating until it completely fails, look for a used outdrive? I have 5k in the boat and 3.5K in the new motor so I know I can't sell and get my investment back. Thanks.

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1998 Horizon 170 QX / Volvo 3.0 SX drive

I'm not a Cobra guy, but to me it sounds like it just needs some attention from a good Cobra mechanic.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Well, don't keep using it. It's cheaper to fix something that still works.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

The drive you have is the same as the VP SX. It doesn't have a "dog clutch", it has a cone clutch which is a lot smoother than a dog clutch. When you say you back off the throttle, are you taking the lever so far back that you go into neutral ? You mentioned there is a hesitation before it engages forward, but not reverse; I'd get the cable adjustment at the outdrive checked first of all, to try to get rid of the difference between selecting forward and reverse.

Graham

Definately not pulling back to neutral. Would be great if a cable adjustment would solve the problem. Going to be spring before I can get it checked out more. I thought someone here might have delt with a similar issue.

Does the clutch not have 2 sides, one for forward and one for reverse? I think the forward
side is worn and causing the problem.

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1998 Horizon 170 QX / Volvo 3.0 SX drive