11. Why won't my reversing gear stay in reverse?

Unlike the forward mode of operation, the reverse clutch assembly has no detent arrangement to hold it in reverse. Sorry about that!

There is usually enough friction within the cables and levers on the boat (adding to whatever friction there is in the linkage within the reversing gear itself) to cause the reversing gear to hold in the reverse mode for a short while. This gives many people the idea that the reversing gear is somehow designed to stay in reverse once you place the lever to the rear, but this is not the case.

If you don't keep pushing the lever back now and then, it will soon creep out of reverse. - Updated: November 4, 2003