Yamaha 250Vx76 lost reverse gear

[portauki]

Lost my reverse gear when coming into the dock..Bang! Pulled the throttle to reverse and it actually surged the boat forward. What happend? Engine will not go into neutral or reverse. no forewarning to this happening.
Thanks

[99yam40]

more info is needed to give an educated guess

[portauki]

I'm told by a mechanic friend it could be something to do with a control box which is in the motor? Linkage?
Not sure what other information I have to offer. I've also read something about "water lock"?

[rodbolt17]

more info may be as stupid as a MODEL NUMBER.
some yamahas prior to about 95 had shift shaft issues.
however the two stroke Yamaha was imported from about 1990 to about 2010.
ALL were 250 hp. the controls varied.

[greasyshaft]

When you find it, Let us know!! can't have gone too far