Correct Gear Shift Position, Volvo Engine

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LABoroviak

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Aug 4, 2009
9
2 First Series, 32s5 Old Hickory, TN
After reading the notice from Yanmar on need to keep the transmission in the Neutral position while under sail power, I am questioning my current practice of putting my gear shift in Reverse while under sail power. My Beneteau 32s5 has a 18 Hp Volvo Penta Diesel with a folding prop. Five years ago when I purchased the boat It was suggested I do so. About two years after the purchase I had to have the reverse gear replaced but at the time I did not connect the two issues and have continued to put the gear shift in reverse while sailing. After reading the Yanmar article and re-thinking how the folding prop works using centrifigual force, is it necessary for the transmission to be in reverse for the prop to collapse into its folding position :confused:
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
If the boat speed does not do it, I find that either forward or reverse will collapse it, but I think forward is the better.
 
DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
OK! I give up! Why does Yanmar have anything at all to do with recommending whether the transmission is in forward, reverse, or neutral. As long as the #@*%!*^$# shaft isn't turning, how can there be any wear on anything inside the engine or the transmission?

I can be persuaded to follow their recommendation, but somehow it doesn't seem logical.

If the transmission is freewheeling, it may not be turning fast enough to get lubrication to the moving parts, which may or may not make a difference. When the thing is in neutral, the shaft rolling noise is an annoyance. When you really get going under sail, you can literally feel the prop rotation. If the shaft is stopped with a 2 blade prop in the vertical position on a Beneteau, only one blade is below the skeg thus reducing the drag. With a folding prop it wouldn't make a bit of difference because with the prop folded the shaft isn't going to turn.

To me, the only thing rhat could truly result in transmission damage is the difficulty of getting it to come out of gear to start the engine because of the inherent gear backlash.

If you come up into the wind and take the way off, there's no load and the gearbox slides easily into neutral.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
If you look in the Yanmar service manual, you would see the transmission is supplied as part of the Yanmar engine, so they have an obligation for the tranny, I would sumize.
 
C

chefmango

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May 14, 2004
9
Beneteau 345 oxford, MD
LABoroviak said:
After reading the notice from Yanmar on need to keep the transmission in the Neutral position while under sail power, I am questioning my current practice of putting my gear shift in Reverse while under sail power. My Beneteau 32s5 has a 18 Hp Volvo Penta Diesel with a folding prop. Five years ago when I purchased the boat It was suggested I do so. About two years after the purchase I had to have the reverse gear replaced but at the time I did not connect the two issues and have continued to put the gear shift in reverse while sailing. After reading the Yanmar article and re-thinking how the folding prop works using centrifigual force, is it necessary for the transmission to be in reverse for the prop to collapse into its folding position :confused:
Click to expand
The volvo owners manual - and I quote - "when under sail the control shift lever hould be in neutral if the propeller is a fixed propeller. If the propeller is a folding propeller the control lever should be in the reverse position"
 
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