Shift lever release failure!!!

[EricU]

This is how our first semi-extended trip went for us this last weekend in our newly acquired RZ4

• Took Thursday and Friday off of work so we could enjoy an extended weekend.
• Got on the road just about noon, RZ4 and seven teenagers in tow
• Rode approximately four hours to get to Lake Shasta
• No campgrounds available at Silverthorn (why call ahead?) but we find two state campgrounds nearby overlooking the lake at $10/night!!!
• Grab the kids out of the pizza parlor and go set up camp – ready for boarding the next day
• Later that evening, the wind picks up, then continues to pick up – The wind picks up enough for white caps to start forming. But I figure it will be ok as it has to end overnight
• Wake up Friday morning to find out that I was WRONG! It’s still windy and there are still white caps on the water
• We make breakfast and decide to head out on the lake as that big beast can take it and look for some glass
• Launch the boat in the middle of the white caps and head out.
• Find a cove that is pretty protected and let the kids swim while realizing that my sub ain’t firing, but that’s ok as the new Wetsounds XS-650 inboats are sounding good and I am still waiting for the tower’s Icon8s anyway.
• Decide to head out and notice the wind is dying down enough for the kids to start boarding.
• After about four of the kids have their turns, my throttle/shift lever release isn’t working!! WTF!!!! No forward, No reverse and oh yeah, those are rocks at this part of the shore!!!

Turns out the little ring that you pull up on had started wearing out and was bypassing the little pin that it pushes on. Seems like kind of a weak design, but maybe mine is the only one that it has ever happened to. When I bought the boat (an ’08) about an month ago, I purchased an extended warranty. I wonder if it will cover the replacement – seems like the insurance companies always have some cop out for not paying.

We were able to rig it and it just kept getting worse as more of the inside of the ring wore out. It definitely made loading the boat “Interesting”

So, I hope this is an isolated incident, but it’s one more item to check besides oil level, ropes, boards, fuel and if the USBs have the correct music on em!!

• Oh yeah, as soon as I got my now stranded boat back to camp, the wind went away and nothing but huge areas of glass!!! AAAAHHHH!!

Tige Shift Lever Release.jpgTige Shift Lever Release (1).jpg

[tnvolgrad]

Had the same thing happen on my previous 08 RZ2 - it was about $100 to get it fixed. Pain in the neck as you described when out on the water.

[EricU]

Had the same thing happen on my previous 08 RZ2 - it was about $100 to get it fixed...

TnVolGrad, since you have had an '08 and have a '12, have they changed the design at all?

This was a pretty major setback for us, I didn't get to board at all and almost messed up my boat coming in to dock. I am just glad this was a four day weekend and not a nine-day trip

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

I remember having trouble with that exact same shifter on my 07 20v. Mine broke from the base at full throttle. So basically I was hauling *** w no way to slow throttle . After a minute or so I finally just killed the engine. Was glad it didn't happen when my wife was driving she wouldn't have known what to do. But that shifter has definitely been problematic and they replaced mine with an updated style. My boat was still under warranty at the time so I'm not sure what cost was

[EricU]

I remember having trouble with that exact same shifter on my 07 20v. Mine broke from the base at full throttle. So basically I was hauling *** w no way to slow throttle . After a minute or so I finally just killed the engine. Was glad it didn't happen when my wife was driving she wouldn't have known what to do. But that shifter has definitely been problematic and they replaced mine with an updated style. My boat was still under warranty at the time so I'm not sure what cost was

I just bought the boat, and even used it is a decent chunk of change. I am taking it in to my local dealer today and if there is a better unit, I will have them install it at that time. As little as I get to use my boat (we don't board during the winter) I don't want ANY problems while on the lake.

Good news is I checked my aftermarket policy last night that I had purchased with the boat and it clearly states "Shift lever, cables and some other verbiage" so it shouldn't cost me too much. But we will see...

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

Glad you don't think it will end up costing much! But don't worry a boat is a boat and they will eventually leave you stranded. I'm nervous about my brand new one leaving me stranded already. While installing stereo every where we turned there was loose ends crimped on wiring . I was truly disappointed in whoever crimps the terminals for tige inc. we found a grounding block that had 8 wires pulled out of terminal ends. We probly replaced no less than 20 ends while we were down in the boat on stereo install. Very disappointing!!! Just think a wire will end up coming loose somewhere and stranding me. I advise all new tige boat owners to check the quality control of the wiring on your new boat

[houstonshark]

I had a similar issue with my boat (although it is the new throttle lever in mine) this year the first time we used it. I ended up having to oil the release and work it up and down several times to get it loose. No problems since.