Reverse Gate Emergency Repair - Trip Saver

[paradox782]

Recently, I replaced a reverse cable on my starboard drive. I went a local sandbar without a problem. The boat was never beached or struck bottom. As it was getting dark, I pulled anchor and tried to get underway. I found I could not turn to port an d that I had a strange rooster tail coming from my starboard drive. The cable had broken, (in less than a month and with 3 only 3 trips) and the reverse gate was down . Faced with twenty miles of idle, I shutdown the starboard engine and attempted to accelerate past idle. I immediately found out that it wasn't going to work. After about 1000 ft. of idle, I had enough. I limped back to the sandbar to see I could make an emergency repair. I was able to make the repair with the most unlikely item. A SOLO cup. I folder the cup over repeatedly and wedged it between the reverse gate and the deflector nozzle. Just wedged, not secured in any other way ... It worked !!!! I had normal throttle control the rest of the trip. I even stopped along the way to tow a stranded boater. I just shutdown my starboard engine to dock both boats.

Once home, I found that the cable had broken about 4 inches back from the reverse gate, where the braided cable is connected to the threaded rod. My Yamaha dealer was great. I bought a replacement cable to get back in the water and in a week they processed the claim. I got a full refund.

I wanted to find a more a better solution than a SOLO cup in case it happened again.

This is what I come up with:

I found a bungee tarp tie down from Home Depot. I pushed it through the slot in the reverse gate. I tied a knot in it to adjust the length and slipped it around the anode. (yeah the anode needs replacing) It keeps the gate open and allows for full steering.

I hope no one has to use this but it beats hours at idle.

 

[OCPat]

Brilliant!

 

[RiverRat]

Nice work!

 

[Addicted]

Redneck engineering at its best!

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

A little ingenuity goes a long way.

 

[dan144k]

Good job getting the family home.

I had this happen a few years ago. Cut about 2" off a noodle. Will look like a donut. And wedge it in. Just like you did with a solo cup.

Frustrating part for me was I had to fight with yamaha to get it covered under warranty. Eventually the fixed it under warranty.

There is post about with pictures.

 

[MrMoose]

Very smart. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Glen]

Recently, I replaced a reverse cable on my starboard drive. I went a local sandbar without a problem. The boat was never beached or struck bottom. As it was getting dark, I pulled anchor and tried to get underway. I found I could not turn to port an d that I had a strange rooster tail coming from my starboard drive. The cable had broken, (in less than a month and with 3 only 3 trips) and the reverse gate was down . Faced with twenty miles of idle, I shutdown the starboard engine and attempted to accelerate past idle. I immediately found out that it wasn't going to work. After about 1000 ft. of idle, I had enough. I limped back to the sandbar to see I could make an emergency repair. I was able to make the repair with the most unlikely item. A SOLO cup. I folder the cup over repeatedly and wedged it between the reverse gate and the deflector nozzle. Just wedged, not secured in any other way ... It worked !!!! I had normal throttle control the rest of the trip. I even stopped along the way to tow a stranded boater. I just shutdown my starboard engine to dock both boats.

Once home, I found that the cable had broken about 4 inches back from the reverse gate, where the braided cable is connected to the threaded rod. My Yamaha dealer was great. I bought a replacement cable to get back in the water and in a week they processed the claim. I got a full refund.

I wanted to find a more a better solution than a SOLO cup in case it happened again.

This is what I come up with:

I found a bungee tarp tie down from Home Depot. I pushed it through the slot in the reverse gate. I tied a knot in it to adjust the length and slipped it around the anode. (yeah the anode needs replacing) It keeps the gate open and allows for full steering.

I hope no one has to use this but it beats hours at idle.


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Nice solo recovery!