Bravo One won't go into gear

I have a 1990 Sea Ray 7.4l Bravo One that was working fine this weekend. Then I lost forward. It wouldn't engage into forward. We were able to use reverse for about an hour then lost it also.<br />Shift cable appears to have full travel. And I am able to manually shift gears via shift lever on outdrive(has been removed from the boat). I was told that outdrive is known for clutch failures.<br />Any ideas and how can I verify a clutch failure?If it has failed would I be able to engage it like I am?

Re: Bravo One won't go into gear

Never heard of Bravo drives being noted for clutch failure.<br />If it works with the drive off the boat, then it is in the cables. They get worn and won't move as far as they should, which keeps them from going into gear properly.<br />If the lower shift cable from the engine to drive is the original, it's well past due for replacement.

Re: Bravo One won't go into gear

Thanks for the quick reply.I have a new lower cable in hand and will report back with results.<br />Expensive little guy. I sure hope it is not that clutch that someone had mentioned

Re: Bravo One won't go into gear

Well I can't thank you enough (Don S). You were right on with the lower cable. It solved the problem. I failed to elaborate on some other info that may help others in the future. My engine had over heated in a bad way last year and apparently the exhaust bellows had melted the outer sheath on the shift cable and it all began. Slowly but surely the demise beagan. It began to fray each time I shifted the boat. I did notice some difficulty shifting at time but paid no attention to it. As I stated before I lost forward then shortly after I lost reverse. Fortunately right when we got to the ramp. Thanks again for your help and I hope this may help others in the future.

Re: Bravo One won't go into gear

Question:

I have a similar problem with a Bravo One. The drive will not shift into forward when the shift lever in the boat is moved from neutral to forward.

Question is how do you "manually shift gears via shift lever on outdrive(has been removed from the boat)" as mentioned above?

Have my drive off but don't want to force the shift jaws without knowing what I am doing. Do I just grab the jaws with a pair of pliers and push in and pull out to manually shift gears? Will I clearly recognize three positions? One for forward, one for neutral and one for reverse? Should I be spinning the prop at the same time as pushing or pulling the shift jaws in or out?

Trying to do this to determine if it's a shifter problem or lower shift cable problem.

Thanks much!!