my 9.9 merc 4stroke keeps popping up in reverse i know they are suppose to lock but can't seem to find the latch or locking mechenism any help would be great thanks in advance doug

Most O.B's ive seen have a bracket that pops down over the rod that you use to set the trim. Find the rod and look for a part that looks like a claw then trace it to the problem.

I have a locking bar on mine that looks kind of like the pin used to secure your trailer hitch to the frame mount, but longer and skinnier and without a cotter pin. There are two pinched notches that slide into notches in the slot. Looks like this:

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Mine hold the kicker in place when making short runs so you don't have to pop up the kicker, disconnect the bar to the main motor for steering, and then redo the whole thing after you made your short run. I must say that I have only used it twice as I am concerned about additional stress that I might place in the bracket and motor.

Your motor may not be designed for this, so you may be using too much throttle in reverse. Reverse is generally only for manuevering, not full throttle travel. You could also just put your hand on top of the motor when you have this happens. best of luck. Andy

Most kicker motors have a little tab, that you push down to let the motor pivot up, or flip up, to make the motor stay locked down. On my Yamaha 9.9, if you're looking at the front of the motor from inside the boat, the tab is just below the tiller arm, towards the right side of the motor, but on the main body of the motor. There is also a separate tab on the left side of the motor, this one is for holding the motor in the upright position once you've pulled it up.

-N.

Doug, I've run Merc. 9.9's for a few years on charter boats and can tell you that the locking mechanisms are a week point on these motors. I strictly motor-mooched and sometimes in rather rough condition where I had to run the kicker pretty hard in reverse, there is a plastic piece that will break, I broke 3 to 5 every season (4 months) once it breaks the motor will not stay down at much more then idle speed in reverse. I've run Yamaha's and an old Evinrude in the same conditions and never had a problem.

Hi Doug, how are ya? My Merc. 9.9 (2000) locks down in neutral and in reverse and is unlocked in the forward position. If you flip the shifter and follow the linkage down that heads toward the gear box, you will see a smaller piece of linkage come from the main linkage about a foot down from the top. It goes up and over the mounting frame (toward the boat)and down to the locking tabs ( a double hook set up) right at the bottom of the mount. Hope this helps

Good luck

Doubletake

hi doubletake, mine also is a 2000, after reading all the posts went home messed around and figured it out haven't run it but 4 times still very new to me but wow, i sure love it, doug. thanks for all the other posts really helped out

[ 07-27-2001: Message edited by: DOUG KELLY ]