[scott n]

Question about a 1996 z212 Shabah bravo III I've been looking at and test drove. Boat seems to run great but the Owner had control cable replaced but still not super easy to move into reverse. Any ideas what the issue could be? Doesn't grind or any noises just a little hard to get into reverse. Thanks

[Hudson River Steve]

Do you mean that it takes a lot of effort to move the shift lever into reverse? If so it could simply be the routing of the cable. Or do you mean that the drive doesn't always go into reverse when shifted? If so it may just need a minor adjustment.

[scott n]

Thanks for responding.

It goes into forward and reverse as soon as you get it there. When I test drove it was hard to pull back into reverse. The seller told me he had a new cable put on and would take it back to have it adjusted. He called me yesterday and let me know they adjusted it and its eaiser to get into gear but still a little "stiff". He wants me to take it for another test ride to make sure i'm good with it and that is scheduled for Friday, weather permitting. It makes me a little nervous that it may be something more than the cable. There isn't' any grinding or noise just "stiff" to pull back. I understand the boat is 21 years old but don't see why that should matter if its only a cable issue. Obviously I don't want to have to drop $1000 or whatever it could cost as soon as I purchase it. It may be something I have to get used to but also don't want it to be something that needs fixed and by not fixing causes another problem "$" down the road. Please let me know your thoughts and if anyone has had the same problem. 1996 Z212 Shabah 5.7 LX Bravo III.

Thanks

[Hudson River Steve]

I forgot to ask which shift cable the previous owner had replaced, the one from the helm to the motor or from the motor to the outdrive? It is usually just the one from the motor to the outdrive that goes bad but after 21 yrs the one from the helm to the motor may be getting a little stiff. It could also be the shift mechanism itself. You would have to isolate each component to determine which one was causing the binding.

[scott n]

I just sent a text to the seller and he is going to check his invoice tonight and let me know.
Thanks