I have an 8 HP Honda 4 stroke. Why..........................?

Question

Today when I put it in reverse to back my sailboat into her slip, the motor jumped up out of the water. Why did this happen? Also after that, it didn't really seem like reverse worked unless the throttle was turned all the way down almost to idle. It kind of freaked me out.

Answer 1

Yep, it sounds like the mechanical lock for some reason didn't catch when you put the motor down last time. On the Honda, the catch is on the left side (as you're looking at the engine from the front) just below the cowl on the neck. Same as ours, I think... we've a Honda 15.

You're going to have to check to see if the prop hub hasn't spun. Try heading out on the water and giving more than half-throttle. If the hub has spun, there'll be an increase in revs without an increase in speed. The rubber hub is there to prevent damage to your powerhead in case of striking a submerged rock, etc. A new prop will have to be purchased if this is the case.

Glad you didn't get hurt when your motor kicked back.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

The motor will have a lock /release latch on the lower side. This locking latch is normally in the release position to allow the motor to 'hit' a rock etc without totally damaging the motor.
If you lock it down....it won't jump up in reverse...but will be more suspectible to damage should u hit somthing.
Also...there is a shift interlock that prevents you putting the motor in reverse unless it is at dead idle...

Answer 3

When you put the outboard in reverse there is a mechanism that is supposed to lock the lower unit down to prevent just what you described. When in neutral or forward it releases so if you want to pull up the engine (in neutral) or hit something while in forward the engine can come up. Sounds like the "reverse lock" is either broken or misadjusted.

Answer 4

it sounds like that clutch thingie is worn or about toast, time to replace it