No reverse

I have a yamaha 25 2 stroke 98 model. The linkages work as they should because it engages the little key that ushed the shift rod up and down. I have the shift rod adjust correctly ( 6 threads covered) but the motor WILL NOT shift into reverse. It will go in neutral MOST of the time but sometimes when it cranks it is in gear. ALSO when i put it in reverse......it goes forward!:banghead

does anyone have any clue what needs to be done!

oh and by the way the boat set up for 2 years before i pulled it out a couple weeks ago and restored it and got the motor back running!

Any chance the linkages are backwards?

Just in front of the prop is two bolts. They hold the bearing carrier in. (The part that contains the reverse gear and bearings) Examine that ring carefully. Look for signs that it has pushed rearward toward the prop. I've seen a lot of those that got water in them, froze and pushed the carrier slight out of the housing. This gives the propshaft a margin of forward/aft movement that will give the same symptom you are describing. The visible part of the carrier will be cracked at the two bolt locations and a gap will be visible down the sides.
If that looks good, your linkage is not adjust correctly and is preloaded more toward forward gear. (not allowing for a good neutral or the ability to reach reverse)