[tao23]

I have a 200HP Mariner (early 80's???, not exactly sure of the year) that is having issues with reverse. When I run the motor in the driveway, it engages forward and reverse (slight grind, nothing out of the ordinary). As soon as the boat hits the water, I have forward, but reverse just makes a grinding noise and will not engage. I have no idea when this started happening as this is the first year I have attempted to get this boat in the water since I purchased it 3 years ago. The engine was serviced at the beginning of the year (new water pump and power packs among other things). Any idea what I should look for? I am fairly mechanically inclined but have limited experience with marine engines.

[Laddies]

You might try adjusting the shift cable to push the shift lever farther to the rear and if it can't be adjusted to get a proper shift into both fwd and rev. the unit may need a clutch dog and rev gear