MONTHLY MAINTENANCE
Shift and throttle mechanisms — the cables, lever arms, clevis pins and so forth — are for the most part simple and relatively reliable. However, it takes no more than a single loose fastener, or improperly installed cotter pin, to wreak havoc on a vessel’s operation.
Several years ago, while working as a mechanic at a marina, I watched a boat owner land his 40-foot sloop on a dock in textbook fashion, coming alongside, shifting into reverse smartly and bringing the vessel to a halt. The owner then jumped onto the dock with spring line in hand, but as he prepared to make it fast to a cleat, it was pulled from his hand. The vessel, it turned out, was still in reverse, and because the rudder was…