New to me power boat

[kimden5]

Just bought a new to me power boat with a 250 yamaha 4 stroke. Last boat was an I/O. When coming into my dock for the first time I went to put it in reverse to slow down (barely moving) an when I gave it some throttle it shuddered like crazy. Is this normal for an outboard ? Second question. The stereo reception is not good. I've never been able to find a stereo antenna on any power boat I've ever had. Do they also use the VHF antenna ? Thanx

[a64pilot]

No, motor should be smooth, Yamaha's gears do clash going into reverse but motor should be smooth.
Most likely your stereos have never been hooked into an antenna at all, there is a splitter to use the VHF as a Stereo FM antenna.


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[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by kimden5

Just bought a new to me power boat with a 250 yamaha 4 stroke. Last boat was an I/O. When coming into my dock for the first time I went to put it in reverse to slow down (barely moving) an when I gave it some throttle it shuddered like crazy. Is this normal for an outboard ? Second question. The stereo reception is not good. I've never been able to find a stereo antenna on any power boat I've ever had. Do they also use the VHF antenna ? Thanx

Glomax -- and probably Shakespeare, etc. -- make VHF/UHF antennas for broadcast (air) TV and those do well with FM radio signals.

-Chris

[tuffr2]

Last boat was an I/O. Was it Mercruiser or Volvo. If Volvo your old I/O was as smooth as they come going into and out of gear. If Mercrusier you had a Kluck then into gear.

The outboard should be in between the two I think.

But once in reverse the outboard should be smooth same as forward. Outboards starting in the late 90's (98 ish) shoukd be as smooth as silk.

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[jeremiason]

Is the engine shaking in forward? If so it will be the spark plugs and you should check the gap.

If not check the prop and make sure your rubber bushing is intact. Before these completely fail, they shake.

As for the radio, there are two options I have used.

One a flexible wire antenna that tucks into the dash (The one I use now) or there are a number of exterior AM/FM Antennas.

Wire Antenna WEST MARINE Interior AM/FM Antenna | West Marine

[kimden5]

The motor is smooth as glass. Hardly noticeable "clunk" into forward or reverse. Smooth in forward, but after putting into reverse and adding throttle it shudders a lot. When in forward the prop is pushing the lower unit toward the transom, but in reverse it is wanting to pull the lower unit away from the transom. Is there something that dampens this action in reverse that is possibly not working or worn ?