Quinte Fishing

Hey guys,

Just bought a 2013 Lund Rebel with a 60 HP Merc. Its a great rig, but something about the engine bothers me.

When Im crusing along at anything over 4000 rpms, and I quickly cut back on the throttle, I hear the gears make a very loud and rapid clicking noise, as if they are grinding. I have been told the engine has what's called a "ratcheting clutch" and that the noise is normal...but to me, it does NOT sound normal.

I have owned and used many other outboards and never heard this noise before.

Please let me know if you have any similar experiences or can provide some advice.
Thanks guys.

Good fishing.

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Drivin trucks and hunting bucks, riding my bike and fishin for pike

I just bought a lund fury with a 50 hp merc four stroke amd it does the same thing, they said all new mercs do that when you throughtl down rapidly.

Sounds similar to an engine braking system, like on a 4 wheeler.
Never heard of it on a boat motor though.
Things that make you go.... hmmmm??

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O2BFSHIN

My buddy has a 75 Merc 2 stroke, it doesn't make that noise.

does it have a sticker on it that say's " Made in China" ? If so, there's your problem.

i have a 115 merc four stroke it has done that since new 6 years u have to cut back the throttle fast for it to happen say speeds from 25mp to 0

I own a 2012 4 stroke 90 Hp merc and have never heard any sounds like that

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Fishing is all fun & games until someone loses a walleye

Yup...same thing from a 2012 50 HP ..... If I don't have to, I avoid pulling the throttle back hard.

What you are hearing is the ratchet clutch and this sound is normal. I believe it comes in the standard and Big Foot models. Just to be on the safe side I would have you dealer check the gear shift linkage to be sure it is correct. If the motor does not try to slip the gears when you nail it hard I would say all is fine. Here is a picture of a Mercury Ratchet Clutch..

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Fred Fisher....

Fishy Fishy In The Bay, Bite This Line And Make My Day....

I have a 3yr old 60hp and it does the same thing, just back off slower and the clutch should not slip. This is normal, my understanding is that this prevents damage to the gears. I have another issue with my motor and am wondering if anyone has some input. Brand new I could get 6000rpm (32.5 mph) before the governor kicked in. After the first year at cold start 4200rpm, after an hour running or trolling I can manage 5500rpm sometimes only 5200rpm. I had it back to Bay Marine twice in the first year, they change the plugs, took it out and said everything was fine. Any suggestions?

I have a 60 hp bigfoot , 2006 yr.
I changed my plugs and fuel filter once 3 years ago when I also noticed a small drop in rpm from 5500 to 5300. I run about 40 hrs per year so the plugs I pulled looked hardly used and I think it is a good idea to occasionally change the fuel filter.
I also changed my oil to synthetic which I change annually along with the lower end and occasionally refuel with an octane level from 89 or 91.
I now run between 5300 to 5500 depending on water temp. at 35 - 36 mph depending on trim and water conditions. I am not sure if the amount of Ethanol in 87 octane fuel affects it's performance over time but I found those 2 changes helped me.

Thanks guys. Seems like its a normal occurrence for these motors

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Drivin trucks and hunting bucks, riding my bike and fishin for pike

I believe that all typical boat motors do this. You can test this on your outboard or outdrive in your driveway. Put it in forward gear; try turning the propeller by hand. The prop will jam in one direction (turning prop in reverse) and ratchet in the other direction. The noise you hear is the propeller being turned faster than the gear train causing the clutch (in the picture above) clicking. Works the same as a ratchet wrench.

It would be best to have someone spin the prop as you shift into gear (motor off ). Don't spin the motor over! Especially without water.

way to go fred thats the ticket.

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I love quinte