Morse Controls are Stuck

[Anthony`s Ark]

I went to do some final checking before lauching and found that my Morse controls are stuck. I can't put the engines in gear or reverse from the main helm or the tower. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have twin Volvo Deisel I/O AD41. HELP!

[billfish]

Bill,
Is there a central box that the 2 feed into? If so check there first.
Or are they electro/ mechanial? If so fuse or bad connection at that central box area,
Good luck Bill[sad]

[crazylegs]

How old are they and are they cable?

I have had cable controls go bad after sitting a long time. The lube inside the cable breaks down and thus the stiffening. New cables, whic are a pain in the a$$ to run, are the only option if this is indeed your problem.

[Tuna Taxi]

I'll second the advice to check the cables. They go bad much more often than the control mechanism. Disconnect the cables from the controls and see if the handles move. If they do, it's the cables....and I feel for you. Running new cables is at the top of the "I hate to do" list.

[Reel Fool]

best advice I can give. I found this works for many problems.

have the boat towed to just SE of the southern most sausage, drill a hole in the hull, next to the transducer, board tow boat, file claim & use the $$ to fish with other people on their boat. you will enjoy the days fishing much more.

good luck.

p.s. be sure to get me lat-long # for the new wreck

[DuaneM]

My controls on the tower were stuck and when I took them apart ther were mud diver nest everywhere in them. Sounds like your problem is different though

[Firstbill]

Just a case of winter freeze. Their is no junction box. The cable connect at the main helm. They just needed some massaging. The starboard works fine the Port needs a little more massaging. Maybe a happy ending also[grin], Now their is only one more evident problem. I can't get the port forward duoprop off. I understand it is a common problem with the Volvo Duoprops. We had the same problem last yr and we managed to get it off. We tried at the end of last yr and it wouldn't budge, tried again this yr and it won't budge. All the advice I have gotten so far is that it will need to be cut (torched) off. I am gonna wait until I have to change it before I go to that extreme. Other three props come off fine and are being reconditioned. I should be in the water at the end of next week.

[hd232]

Good news on your cables Bill

[b8 boy]

Torching it might do the trick, but not to the extreme that others suggested. Heat the prop with the torch then try to pop it loose. Heat can do wonders to expand metal. Good luck. Martin

[Firstbill]

Thanks - Good Idea