Re: Clutch Dogs?

[Don]

quote gypsmjim:

By “kicked out” I meant it went into neutral. The engine kept running but when I shifted it wouldn’t go into forward. Of course, the cotter pin was broken so it wouldn’t provide forward thrust anyway.

After I had it “reconditioned” it was in service for 3 years before this happened. After I replaced the cotter pin it seemed to work fine for a few days and then it happened again. We were on vacation at the time so the boat saw daily usage.

OK, so it pops out of gear and stays in neutral, correct? This might be a good sign, or it could be big trouble. You got it to work again, so I am hoping the crank/driveshaft splines are OK.
Usually, when dog/gear lugs are worn, the engine will "jump" in and out of gear, buck, or you might hear a horrible ratcheting noise as the lugs jump over one another. But, you are indicating the engine just pops out of gear and stays in neutral.
Does this rig have remote controls? If so, perhaps the shift cable is misadjusted.
In any event, you will want to have a very close look at the shift linkage before ripping the gearcase apart needlessly. Slop in the linkage, loose shift rod connector, loose shift handle adjustment might be to blame. Sure hope the problem is minor….