J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Need new shifting mechanism for J-30

My shifting lever is getting very hard to move from forward to reverse, and back again.
Since this is the original equipment for Hull #198, it is time to replace it, but unfortunately, the model is no longer made. Can any one give any advice as to a good replacement make and model for the old Morse CH1-008?

thanks,

Gary Boothman

Before you go off and replace the shifter, I'd check a couple of things. Are shift cables moving freely? A kink in a cable, or a worn cable can make the shifter bind. Likewise, check the linkages at both ends of the cables for nice clean, firm attachments. All kinds of funny binding can happen when these guys get out of adjustment. It's also worth popping your head into the back end of the engine and make sure that the transmission itself isn't the culprit. You can work the shift lever by hand, and it should move fairly easily. While you're at it, if you haven't checked fluid levels back there, of course, you should.

Lastly, I'd spend some energy just soaking all the bits of the shifter in WD-40, followed by a proper lubricant (We all know WD-40 isn't a lubricant, don't we :-) It took several passes to get our shifter (hull 3) fully sorted out, but it's been fine since then.

- David Levine

[This message has been edited by dwl (edited 06-05-2001).]

Minney's Ship Chandlery 1500 Old Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 tel #(949) 548-4192 has used surplus. I got one last year and they had a lot more. good luck!

We have a shifting mechanism which is simply broken. To shift gears, we lift the storage compartment and manually shift. Do you know where we can obtain another (device with level which inserts into the shifting mechanism)? Please send a reply to NOLAErwin@aol.com THANKS!

I replaced it with a Morse two lever using the same hole and cables. It is very handy to set the idle to 850 RPM and use the transmission lever to control the boat for docking and approach. They are pricey though.