Reverse gate issues

[j_cruton]

Need a second opinion here guys. So the bolts connecting the reverse rod from bucket to bucket keep breaking. It's a pretty big issue because when I'm going 30-40mph it will all of a sudden drop one bucket and basically almost sub my boat which is not what I want to do ever. It seems like there is a ton of play in the buckets when they're in any gear so I'm not sure if it has something to do with my lever attaching to reverse cable, as you can see from the video.

Sometimes the shifter will want to go into reverse randomly when at speed 15mph+ and when at slower speeds 0-10mph it will drop into reverse. It seems like the play could be the case with this.

And while I'm at it may as well bring up another issue the boat doesn't want to turn starboard. When trying to turn port its fine but when turning starboard the boat banks but doesn't pull the water like it feels when turn port. I think this could be a jet alignment issue but I'm just bouncing ideas around.

First time boat owner so definitely a learning process. Thank you for any input guys!

 

[j_cruton]

https://youtu.be/8S5qsFZ0bOI

 

[gb387]

My observations... The buckets should not move that easy as shown in the video.

The phillips head screws you have attaching the rod between the buckets are very weak cheap screws, those need to be rated at the same strength as the originals. They are metric and if you still have some of the originals look at the rating on the head of the hex head bolt and replace the phillips screws with a bolt rated the same. I also believe they are stainless steel. All screws and bolts are not created equally.

 

[devonte007]

I completely agree about the fasteners. I believe you can adjust the drag for the reverse buckets and the throttle lever at the controls. You would need to remove them and and the adjustment screws are somewhere on the mechanism. I've never done it before so consult the manual. Making the drag tighter should prevent them from dropping down on their own. Mine are quite tight and I never had the problems you describe.

As for turning at high speed, it sounds like your steering cable is broke and needs to be replaced. If I remember correctly, the housing usually cracks right where it screws through the hull into the pump support. To test, have someone hold the steering nozzle in the back of the boat, and have another person turn the wheel. If the wheel turns and you can hold the buckets stationary this is your problem. Very common issue on these boats. many threads about it.

 

[gb387]

My observations... The buckets should not move that easy as shown in the video.

The phillips head screws you have attaching the rod between the buckets are very weak cheap screws, those need to be rated at the same strength as the originals. They are metric and if you still have some of the originals look at the rating on the head of the hex head bolt and replace the phillips screws with a bolt rated the same. I also believe they are stainless steel. All screws and bolts are not created equally.

One more thought on the photos-- I also noticed someone may have removed the 'sleeve' where the phillips screws are, don't quote me on this but I believe those have something to do with preventing the bolts from shearing off, this is one problem you seem to be having. The reverse setup all needs to be brought back to factory spec, as show in the parts diagrams... there is alot going on there, water is incredibly powerful especially coming out the jet nozzles and it will find any and all weak links. Search for a parts diagram for your boat and get the correct parts!

The run down would be--
- Replace all bolts with the correct bolts on the linkage rod
- Reinstall the sleeves if there are any missing
- Replace the washers
- If you can adjust buckets so they are both as even with each other as possible

Once that is corrected look into tightening the bucket control cable.

 

[j_cruton]

One more thought on the photos-- I also noticed someone may have removed the 'sleeve' where the phillips screws are, don't quote me on this but I believe those have something to do with preventing the bolts from shearing off, this is one problem you seem to be having. The reverse setup all needs to be brought back to factory spec, as show in the parts diagrams... there is alot going on there, water is incredibly powerful especially coming out the jet nozzles and it will find any and all weak links. Search for a parts diagram for your boat and get the correct parts!

The run down would be--
- Replace all bolts with the correct bolts on the linkage rod
- Reinstall the sleeves if there are any missing
- Replace the washers
- If you can adjust buckets so they are both as even with each other as possible

Once that is corrected look into tightening the bucket control cable.

That's what I thought too. But it looks like the sleeves are only on the port side bucket. It would make sense that there would be sleeves on the starboard side seeing as there is about 1mm of space around the bolt before it threads to the bucket. I might try and find something to fill that gap. The port and starboard holes that the reverse rop connects to are different sizes.

 

[triplethreat]

Be careful if you improvise using what you can find. The OEM parts are on the boat from the factory for a reason.