Drive by wire vs mechanical gear shift
Submitted by straith on Thu, 2026-03-05 14:54
Hey guys, just about to repower, what's everyone's experience with drive by wire vs standard gear shift?
Is it worth the extra money?
Anyone had any problems with them? Im thinking at the fads and have an electronic problem and cant chg gears ??
_0.thumbnail.jpg "Just back from Exmouth")
eziliving
Posts: 895
Date Joined: 30/12/09
Haven't had any issues with
Haven't had any issues with mine but can take a bit to get use to as a lot more touchy. Have nearly Theon a few deckers of the back of the boat.
Get busy living, or get busy dying!
Swompa
Posts: 4034
Date Joined: 14/10/12
I have the electronic
I have the electronic throttle on my zook and yeah it took a bit to get used to. If anyone with a conventional morse cable run motor has a go at mine, chances are that we're going to get thrown back in a moment because it requires such little movement to accelerate.
Like any modern vehicle/motor, there are so many electrical sensors that could change your day, but I have had no problems and quite like it.
Billcollector
Posts: 2126
Date Joined: 16/05/09
Had one of the first 250
Had one of the first 250 yamahas with electronic throttle and as said once you get used to the response of it it's good, I wouldn't go back to cable after having it. Idid over 1000 hours when I had the boat and It was faultless.
Swompa
Posts: 4034
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Need to remember that poor
Need to remember that poor bloke who stumbled against his throttle in Mindarie (or was it two rocks) and effectively drove up the ramp.
They are sensitive....
Rob H
Posts: 5900
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Yes I have digital on my
Yes I have digital on my pair of Mercs, similar concerns.
But you can simply take the engine cover off and push it into gear manually I think if you had to, its just a solenoid.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
straith
Posts: 447
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Cheers for the comments
Cheers for the comments guys, my current yam 150 has the grumbles in reverse and whilst ive been assured it will prob outlive me im just a bit over it.
Good to hear no one has had any major issues.
Might give it a go.
Cheers
marble
Posts: 787
Date Joined: 03/09/09
two different df300 and the
two different df300 and the same binnacle mount throttle box . 3000 hrs without a problem so far
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
sea-kem
Posts: 15223
Date Joined: 30/11/09
I guess it was the same leap
I guess it was the same leap of faith when 4WD's started coming fly by wire with auto's and 4WD shift. The technology is great imo less actual mechanical shit to break.
Pretty well all commercial aircraft the same.
Outboard manufacturers would know the need for reliabillity.
Love the West!
Swompa
Posts: 4034
Date Joined: 14/10/12
My ranger had a glitch on
My ranger had a glitch on Tuesday as it wouldnt start for around an hour. Dodgy crank shaft position sensor.
Certainly a fiture issue with so many sensors on modern vehicles/motors. Thankfully it worked long enough to get back to Ford, then once we parked, handed over the keys, it wouldnt start for them to move it
davewillo
Posts: 2673
Date Joined: 08/09/16
My boat has Mercruiser fly
My boat has Mercruiser fly by wire and besides nearly dumping my wife in the drink one day when a pen manoeuvre went wrong (I effed up) I like it.
PGFC member and lure tragic