Since my recent purchase of a 2004 Hunter 466 I hadnt taken it out sailing as had to motor it up from San Diego to SF. This weekend I finally took it out sailing and noticed a whirring sound when I was sailing with the engine off. I checked and it was the drive shaft spinning (3 bladed fixed prop). Is there any concern with this? It didnt really bother me but wondered if there was anything of concern?
Drive shaft spinning while sailing
- Thread starter rlamb
- Start date
Leave It In Neutral
See this thread for the link to the Yanmar service bulletin dictating sailing in neutral rather than locking the transmission in reverse. If it's annoying, look into a folding or feathering prop change sometime:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=141441
See this thread for the link to the Yanmar service bulletin dictating sailing in neutral rather than locking the transmission in reverse. If it's annoying, look into a folding or feathering prop change sometime:
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=141441
Yanmar Advisory Number: MSA08-003:
DATE February 8, 2008 Dealers and OEMs
TO: All Marine Distributors
SUBJECT: Gear in Neutral While Sailing All MODELS:
All Sailboat Engines
We continue to get questions regarding the correct gear position while sailing with the engine OFF. This advisory is issued as a reminder; Yanmar requires that if sailing with the engine OFF (not running) the transmission shifter must be in the neutral position or internal damage to the gear or sail-drive will result. This damage will not be covered by Yanmar’s Limited Warranty. Please instruct customers and dealers who deliver the sailboat to the customer, of the correct (Neutral) position for the marine gear while sailing.
If the customer desires that the propeller shaft not spin while sailing, either a folding propeller, shaft break, or other suitable device may be used. However, Yanmar accepts no responsibility for the selection, installation, or operation of such devices. Please also refer to Marine service advisory “MSA07-001_Yanmar Sail Drive Propeller Selection” for additional information.
If you have any questions regarding this advisory please contact a Customer Support representative.
DATE February 8, 2008 Dealers and OEMs
TO: All Marine Distributors
SUBJECT: Gear in Neutral While Sailing All MODELS:
All Sailboat Engines
We continue to get questions regarding the correct gear position while sailing with the engine OFF. This advisory is issued as a reminder; Yanmar requires that if sailing with the engine OFF (not running) the transmission shifter must be in the neutral position or internal damage to the gear or sail-drive will result. This damage will not be covered by Yanmar’s Limited Warranty. Please instruct customers and dealers who deliver the sailboat to the customer, of the correct (Neutral) position for the marine gear while sailing.
If the customer desires that the propeller shaft not spin while sailing, either a folding propeller, shaft break, or other suitable device may be used. However, Yanmar accepts no responsibility for the selection, installation, or operation of such devices. Please also refer to Marine service advisory “MSA07-001_Yanmar Sail Drive Propeller Selection” for additional information.
If you have any questions regarding this advisory please contact a Customer Support representative.
The manufacturer recommends the transmission be in neutral. Some in the old school recommend reverse but you have added drag and torque forces applied to the gears. If you decide to sail with the trans in reverse make sure you slow the boat down to under 1 knot so you may easily get it out of gear. Yes you can start the engine in reverse but the effect may be adding unnecessary strain on the transmission. There are shaft locks in the market but they are not favored as they entail manual setting. The thruth is the transmissions are quite hardy and have not heard of any failures that could be specifically traced to sailing either in neutral or reverse. Your choice.
Older transmissions like the Hurth on my 1987 Catalina 34 said to put in reverse. NEVER forward as it will still spin. Gearing is such that it cant resist the pressure and it will ruin your transmission. Yanmar expressly states in the above service bulletin to leave in neutral or it will void your warranty. Others are right get a feathering prop. It will perform better anyway. Been discussed or death on here, search the archives and you will find more than you could imagine on both transmission and prop choices.
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