Vashon_Trawler
Guru
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2013
- Messages
- 599
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- M/V Sherpa
- Vessel Make
- 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
My wife, little one, and I enjoyed yesterday cruising around Boca Ciega Bay. We returned to the marina and, while we were just 200-300 or so feet away from my slip, I was suddenly unable to shift into neutral. She was stuck in gear and coasting forward. My wife was on the bow with the hook. I told her that we had no transmission control and I was shutting down. We managed to bring her into the slip without a scrape. It was interesting that my wife and I never spoke while docking but just got quickly into action with the lines--we were in autopilot! I am sure if I had a larger boat the outcome would have been different, but all went well and this was a good learning experience. My wife is very much engaged in our boating and knows how to handle/dock the boat.
Once we were stopped and settled, I inspected the linkage at the transmission. I have dual controls and the small linkage pin broke and popped out. It appears to have been an R clip. It was not rusted as I regularly lubricate this area but mangled and bent. Easy fix and all is good!
Once we were stopped and settled, I inspected the linkage at the transmission. I have dual controls and the small linkage pin broke and popped out. It appears to have been an R clip. It was not rusted as I regularly lubricate this area but mangled and bent. Easy fix and all is good!