www.iFourWinns.com

Hi everyone...I need some help.

We have a 2003 Four Winns Freedom 170, with around 300 hrs on it (Volvo Penta). It has ran great until last summer.

The boat was running fine, until we pulled up to the dock. I was getting ready to drive it on to the trailer, put the throttle into neutral and the throttle handle became loose. The handle would go back into the locked position, but as soon as I moved it all of the tension was gone...it just dangled there. The boat will not start now, even in 'park'.

Any ideas??? What happened to our boat? What is a reasonable estimate to repair it?

Sounds like the cable could be broke or something to do with the linkage, it is likely stuck in gear which will not allow it to start. Check your linkage at the carburetor and work your way forward, don't worry it doesn't sound serious. Not sure on what the parts would be, but labor should be less than an hour and something you could probably do yourself.

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2000 235 Sundowner
Previously 2007 Horizon 190
2004 Chevy Avalanche Z71

Mel:

1. Welcome to the forum
2. Where are you located?
3. http://www.winnisquammarine.com for parts
4. I agree, sounds like a broken cable if you can feel no tension at all. If its in gear, it should prevent it from starting as previously stated. The only other variable I suppose would be that the cable came off of the linkage either at the drive side or even at the throttle control side. Before I ordered a new cable, I would check both ends. In terms of replacement, I bet you could do this yourself, fairly easily. If its determined to be a broken cable, just unhook one end and use electical tape to secure your old cable to the new cable. Pull the new cable through while removing your old cable. This should handle getting it from one end of the boat to the other without too much hassle. Connect it and give it a whirl.

Good luck!

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

The shift lever and the shaft on which it fits are splined. Another possibility is that the bolt holding the lever to the shift mechanism shaft came loose, but not so much that the lever falls off completely, but enough that the splines are not engaged; It may still be in gear (hence no start) and when the lever is in the neutral position the detent plunger holds it in place, but without the splines engaged.. The moment the plunger is lifted to put it into gear, the lever would become loose again. Access to that bolt is by prising off the cover that's on the lever.

Just a thought.

Graham