Won't go into gear.

[89wellcraft18ft]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and boating. So my problem: I was cruising in the Keys about 2000rpm for about 40 minutes when all of a sudden she seemed to jump out of gear. I shut her down and now the boat won't go into gear but the throttle does rev. No forward or reverse. The shifter cable is moving at the engine. Just no clunk and go.
Thank you all.

[Bt Doctur]

no gear oil and melted gears
blown prop hub
blown coupler
broken driveshaft

[89wellcraft18ft]

So today I tried to adjust the shifter cable. I did it as the Youtube videos say. When I push the cable all the way in by hand the prop will lock, however,
when I put it all back together it won't go into gear. Is it possible the cable has stretched? As far as I know, this lower shifter cable has not been changed.

[Bt Doctur]

the cable itself should not "stretch" that far.Drive oil and condition?
Look to see if the brass shoe is in a straight line in fwd, if yes stand on a prop blade and try to turn it while someone is watching the shaft behind the motor.
prop turns with resistance, shaft turns, bad coupler
prop turns with resistance, shaft does not turn, drive damage

[89wellcraft18ft]

Update: The outdrive is frozen and I'm sure the engine coupler is blown. How bad of a job is it to remove the engine? I know once the engine is up the coupler is easy to change.

[CptBill]

Depends on how much access you have, remember outdrive out first. If you can unplug wiring harnesses instead of every switch and sensor that will make things easier. Get as much out of your way as possible and prepare for some broken bolts, Also take it out in as big a piece as possible, once you have the out drive off the drive shaft will come with it so you don't have to unbolt the bell housing, It's way easier to do all that when it's out. Last engine I pulled was on my Larson 330 Cabrio, 5.7L but it was a Volvo Penta which is a lot easier than a Merc. That took 1/2 day to get the rear deck off after that 45min and the port engine was in the back of the truck

[Bt Doctur]

remove batery cables, control cables, grounds, bonds, fuel line.
remove 2 rear bolts 3/4 socket and LONG extention, remove lags/bolts from front mounts loosen exaust hose clamps from the bottom of the dumps, spray PB and loosen the rubber
attach chain ,lift up and out
If the front mounts are severely rusted, replace them

[89wellcraft18ft]

Source of the post remove batery cables, control cables, grounds, bonds, fuel line.
remove 2 rear bolts 3/4 socket and LONG extention, remove lags/bolts from front mounts loosen exaust hose clamps from the bottom of the dumps, spray PB and loosen the rubber
attach chain ,lift up and out
If the front mounts are severely rusted, replace them

Thank you Dr. The problem I'm running into now is I cnt find a hoist to lift the engine. The rental places tell me the regular engine hoist they rent isn't tall enough.

[Bt Doctur]

could make a frame from some 4x4`s and a 2 inch steel H beam
large tree limb
Beam chained to a tree with end supported by chain to another limb higher

[CptBill]

Call a towing co. and see if they can do it