billR27
Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2024
- Messages
- 11
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-27 (Outboard)
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2752A222
- Vessel Name
- Wine Down
On a recent cruise, I realized that I hadn't done a thorough check on the Yamaha kicker. It worked fine last fall fishing for Coho in Puget sound.
It turned out that the motor ran great. However, it wouldn't shift into either forward or reverse. The problem was due to the shift cable kinking at the motor ferrule, breaking the vinyl sheath, which exposed the outer casing to the elements. Over the winter it rusted completely through.
I spend about 95% of my cruising with the autopilot, and I believe this contributed to the problem. The autopilot, especially at low cruising speeds, constantly corrects course, swinging back and forth over fairly large angles. With the kicker in the full up position, this puts a lot of bending stress on the shift cable at the ferrule. After replacing the cable, I observed this as I turned the wheel between port and starboard full stops. I then lowered the kicker until it was barely touching the water and noted that the bending was dramatically reduced. Too bad there isn't a simple way to disconnect the link between the two motors.
So, if you have the factory installed kicker on your outboard powered tug, you may want to see if you're having the same problem. I've attached photos of the cable position with the kicker partially down and of the broken end of the original cable.
Bill Britz
Wine Down
2022 R-27
It turned out that the motor ran great. However, it wouldn't shift into either forward or reverse. The problem was due to the shift cable kinking at the motor ferrule, breaking the vinyl sheath, which exposed the outer casing to the elements. Over the winter it rusted completely through.
I spend about 95% of my cruising with the autopilot, and I believe this contributed to the problem. The autopilot, especially at low cruising speeds, constantly corrects course, swinging back and forth over fairly large angles. With the kicker in the full up position, this puts a lot of bending stress on the shift cable at the ferrule. After replacing the cable, I observed this as I turned the wheel between port and starboard full stops. I then lowered the kicker until it was barely touching the water and noted that the bending was dramatically reduced. Too bad there isn't a simple way to disconnect the link between the two motors.
So, if you have the factory installed kicker on your outboard powered tug, you may want to see if you're having the same problem. I've attached photos of the cable position with the kicker partially down and of the broken end of the original cable.
Bill Britz
Wine Down
2022 R-27
