Another Free Boat Story//Warning: Long

I'd like to introduce myself and admit that I have been lurking (learning) since the summer. My name is Joe, I live in Northern VA, and I was given a V-20 by a family friend. Boat background = zero unless a jon boat in a freshwater lake counts. I have done frame up builds on a few old Jeeps and built my own barn, etc. so I am atleast a 'hack' when it comes to working on stuff. The boat is a 1979 v-20 I/O with an OMC 5.7 (can't I just call it a chevrolet 350 ;)). It was repowered in 1996 and not hardly used. It was stored on a trailer outside. It survived some hurricanes while sitting in the Outerbanks of NC tied to a tree. I put a new axle/springs on the trailer and pulled it home around the end of October. I have had minimal time to work on it as of yet (I have 3 kids age 6 and under and another on the way). Here is where I am with the boat: it was properly winterized, oil had no water in it, would not start because of bad starter, replaced starter and nothing. Ran out of time, came home and read OMC manual (did I mention I have all original paper work for this boat including original sales receipt and trailer manual?), as my dad and I suspected there was a neutral safety switch somewhere that was not immediately obvious. Manual shows the switch in the remote control (I call it throttle but the manual does not). Here is my question to all of you v-20 guru's.....how do you get to that switch? The way the picture shows it the thing is inside the wall of the boat. Can you get to from the cuddy or do you have to pull it out from the rod box or is is just simply there when I remove the remote control handle? The engine did turn over when I shorted starter so she is not locked up. This is a project mmy Dad and I are doing together. We built the jeeps together years ago and I am looking forward to the work on the boat and the FISHING after we get her ready for the water. Thanks for taking the time to read this and answer if you can help me out. Pictures you ask? I'll grab some over christmas and post them.

[lumberslinger178]

hi reds Iam not sure on your question as to the location of the switch mines an out board and is at my finger tips inside the handle..... oh welcome aboard Iam sure there are guys on this site much more in tune to your question then me ;)

[Skools Out]

Hey Red welcome, is the shifter you have like this one?

Why yes sir it does look like that one. The OMC manual shows 3 types, this being one of them, and they refer to it as a hidden mount.

[Skools Out]

great i'll be right back with pics i have several of those out in the garage in boxes brb

[phester]

2reds, welcome, not much help from me w/ your question, but, you've got Skools on the job and he IS the resident motorhead on the board [ among a few others] Good luck w/ your boat! :)

[Skools Out]

ok here's pic

this is what they look like out of the wall



Here's the neutral switch wires





Notice one has a spade end the other an odd clip that to take the black / yellow wire off the ign. switch and this going in line



There is a screw in the middle of the handles if you have to remove the shift box



Here's the roller switch seen through the hole where the cables go into the box



Three screws will take the box apart on the back of the box here is it apart





Here's the neutral safety switch shown and it is currently in gear in the pic the switch will go into that dip in the shift lever to let you start the motor.





I hope that helps answer were the switch is in the control box

[lumberslinger178]

See reds I told ya..... ;D

WOW! Thanks a million. That certainly is very clear. Far more so than the black and white in the manual. I appreciate it very much. I'll post back after I get a chance to pull it apart.

[msbhammer]

Good job Skool. ;D