Cobra Shift Problems
 

Took my boat out for the first time this weekend. 3.0 OMC Cobra. Got it off the trailer, but it wouldn't want to go in any gear but reverse. Went into gear when we manually shifted the transom linkage, but wouldn't off the throttle. Any ideas? This is my first boat, so I'm pretty new to all of this.

First check the cable adjustment, it may be off. Usually it is the lower shift cable is bad though. You will probably need to replace it then get it adjusted just right, they are finicky on the cobras. Get a manual if you don't have one.

Is your control it self in neutral? (throttle only) you do have a side mount control ?

Good Luck! getting a Cobra shift cable working properly requires some form of black magic. My first boat had a Cobra drive too. In my area it was hard to find somebody who really knew how to work on them. And that was 20 yrs. ago!

Some good info here....... This site has been there for a long time, not sure if all those links still work. http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm going to try to adjust per that hasting's page, but have also ordered another cable just in case that doesn't solve it. Seems like the Cobra's are pretty solid units once you get them dialed in, it's just the adjustments that are a pain.

Finally got a chance to tear into it. Cable is ok, mount that holds it in place is busted. When I held the cable shroud myself to keep it from moving, it shifted fine. Now we just need to come up with some better mounting method.