www.iFourWinns.com

New owner of a 2005 Horizon 180 w/150hp Johnson outboard. Boat is in great shape, roughly 150hrs per previous owner. I had it out on the river yesterday started it, put it in neutral to give it some gas for a minute as usual and put it into gear with no problem. As soon as I put it back to neutral it was acting like I was still giving it a little gas and then I tried to put it in reverse and it lunged forward. Obviously it never reached neutral to allow it to be shifted back into reverse. I tried to check the cables as much as I could but not sure if this is a common issue with something hung up or something major. Is there a safety switch or lever that might be locked up? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! Mike

It is most definitely a cable/linkage issue.

It would be 1 of 2 places. Under the cowling of the engine or in the handle at the helm.

Something is either way out of adjustment or something broke or came loose.

Take the cowling off the engine (when it is off) and work the handle at the helm. Observe what moves as you put it into gear. Then put it into neutral and then reverse to see how the linkage moves. There may be something obviously out of whack.

If nothing is obvious you get into the adjustment of the linkage to make sure forward, neutral and reverse engage properly as the handle is moved. This is a bit a detailed process that would be best looked up in a manual.

If you can't get it into adjustment to work, a cable is likely stretched and/or worn to a point that it needs to be replaced.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs