Throttle control question

[Jordanh]

Alright, picked up my 95 sport nautique this weekend. Pumped to get it out as much as possible before the end of the season. I have a question about the throttle control.

Im use to I/O as this is my first direct drive. I noticed that you do not need to pull a switch to shift from neutral to forward/reverse? I see there is a black collar with a rod under the shifter knob. Is that what this collar is suppose to be used for?

Also during the test drive I noticed that the throttle wouldn't stay in position. Say for example I was cruising at 3200 rpm, and I took my hand off the throttle to use both hands and turn, it would throttle back. There was a spot at around 3800 rpm I believe that was stiffer and the throttle would hold. Is there something wrong, or is this some kind of design for skiing?

also there is an aluminum pin on the throttle. This is the neutral lockout so it doesn't shift into forward/reverse, correct?

[s_kelley2000]

Congrats on the new boat. Yes that black collar should need to be pulled up in order to switch out of neutral. If yours is not working then it is likely the little spring on the backside of the throttle just above the collar. You may need to twist off the shift knob in order to replace this.

Some throttles will hold the position better than others but many of the older ones will either rapidly or slowly move back to neutral once you take your hand off. I believe you can adjust the resistance a little bit by playing with the throttle cable but I can’t remember for sure.

That pin by the throttle is so you can rev the engine while remaining in neutral. The pin can only be pulled out or pushed back in when the throttle is straight up and down in neutral. This can be helpful for cold starts but if your boat has EFI it will likely be pretty rare that you need to use it.

[Jordanh]

Thanks for the reply. I also found the owners manual online that explained the throttle to me. I'll have to read that whole manual. I'm sure there is all kinda of knowledge in there. I'm going to take a look at that spring and see if I can get thelockout ring functioning again.


does anyone else know of an adjustment so the throttle doesn't go back to neutral?

[Jordanh]

I just read a few topics where people were saying their 97 sports had a drag adjustment on the throttle. They said they had to remove the combing pad behind the throttle on the gunnel to get at it. Can anyone elaborate on this before I start pulling stuff apart for no reason?

(I think I used all the correct terms there)

[Jordanh]

Well there is not a drag adjustment on this throttle. I pulled it apart. The only things holding tension on the throttle are a wave disc spring, and a spring/ball bearing detent. I shimmed out the spring on the detent ball. I'm not sure if it helped though. I will have to wait until this weekend to try.


I also got my throttle lock to start working again. The metal plate with the notches for the pin to lock into was wearing out. The plate was symmetrical so I just flipped it 180*

[flipflop]

Congratz on your purchase, your MY has a lot of potential. It looks like you're getting the hang of things already. Have any pictures or details of the boat? Engine, hour, etc?

[bhectus]

I'm not sure exactly how to adjust the drag but if it is returning to the 12 o'clock position on its own, it is not working properly. They shouldn't do that. It should stay in the position you leave it.

[Jordanh]

See I have read conflicting information. Some people claim you should have to hold it, some claim it should stay.. ?
It doesn't throttle back to the 12, but it will definitely back off a good inch or more. It will only hold at around 3000 rpm and then around 3900 rpm. Any where inbetween that and it will progressively throttle down to about 3000.


I pulled the whole assembly apart. The ball bearing and spring detent is a pain to get back in, just so everyone knows. The only other thing I can think of to try is getting a thicker heavier wave disc spring. I don't know how much room there is to go with a thicker one. If it doesn't work like I want it to this weekend I will be pulling it back apart.


The boat is a 1995 with 775 hours. Runs great and seems mechanically sound. The trailer needs work though. I will get pictures one of these days for ya guys.

i have another question in the rudder. How much play should there be on the rudder shaft going thru the hull? I can wiggle it a bit. The steering doesn't have any slop, but the shaft seems to a bit.


oh yeah it's got a gt-40