Yanmar SD20 Shifting

[svenskflicka]

Hello all, as some of you know my wife and I purchased a 2013 Salona 38, ex-charter.

On thing I noticed before putting it in winter storage was the shifter was REALLY stiff getting i to gear (both forward and reverse). Also, the first time I shifted I to reverse, it didnt go into gear, and same with forward. Both times it went in on the second try. After that i only shifted once i to reverse and once forward and it went in first time.

I have been reading up on the dog clutch and was thinking of replacing it, however when I was at the boat last month I operated the lever and it was quite smooth (with the engine off).

Any ideas? Could it have just been stiff due to lack of use? Or why would it be difficult to shift with the engine on and easy with the engine off?

Thanks!

[a64pilot]

I’d first verify the shifting cable doesn’t have any corrosion and that your not just feeling resistance in the cable. It could have had some rust and broke free?

[hugosalt]

On my SD20 have had occasionally experienced similiar shifting over the many years of usage.
Has always been cable/linkage issues.
Suggest disconnecting cable and shifting by hand.
Then you will know right away what needs attention.
I check/adjust cable as part of preventative maint.

[ggray]

I've had the clevis and pin get rusty where it attaches to the SD shift lever after sitting all winter, making shifting difficult.

[svenskflicka]

Thank you for the tips everyone, I'll take a look next time I'm down at the boat.

Can anyone think of a reason that it would be difficult to shift with the engine running, but easy when the engine is off? I won't really be able to run the engine for a couple months.