I'm new to sailing (not boating) and was wondering about the forward / reverse orientation on my boat. I have a 1984 27' Hunter with a 12hp Westerbeke. To go forward you pull the lever back. To reverse you push the lever forward. Is this right?. It looks original.
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Reverse it
That's a dangerous setup. Don't know why some boatyard put it in that way. You can easily reverse it by switching the two connectors at the gearbox.
That's a dangerous setup. Don't know why some boatyard put it in that way. You can easily reverse it by switching the two connectors at the gearbox.
Forward and reverse ratios may not be the same
On my 3GM Yanmar, the marine gear has a higher reduction ratio (lower propeller speed) in reverse than it does in forward. If someone put the wrong-hand prop on there, you're running in reverse to go forward. You probably should get the make/model/serial off the marine gear, and research the orientation of the shift mechanism, output direction (opposite the engine, or not), etc. I don't know if the reverse gear train is commonly as robust as forward, but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way that it isn't.
On my 3GM Yanmar, the marine gear has a higher reduction ratio (lower propeller speed) in reverse than it does in forward. If someone put the wrong-hand prop on there, you're running in reverse to go forward. You probably should get the make/model/serial off the marine gear, and research the orientation of the shift mechanism, output direction (opposite the engine, or not), etc. I don't know if the reverse gear train is commonly as robust as forward, but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way that it isn't.
Some are, some arent
For a twin-screw boat, some are rated for "full reverse" power. In these boats, you use two identical engines. Other boats are not rated for full reverse, so you need a backwards spinning engine. Point is, this is a special property of certain transmissions. most of the time, the reversing gear is not too hardy
For a twin-screw boat, some are rated for "full reverse" power. In these boats, you use two identical engines. Other boats are not rated for full reverse, so you need a backwards spinning engine. Point is, this is a special property of certain transmissions. most of the time, the reversing gear is not too hardy
Doesn't sound right...
you have good advice. Check the propeller left or right hand... or linkage. Actually I have a dumb question... as I have never had the propeller off. Can it be put on the shaft either way?
you have good advice. Check the propeller left or right hand... or linkage. Actually I have a dumb question... as I have never had the propeller off. Can it be put on the shaft either way?
I invite an expert to chime in here
but I think the first step would be to find true forward in the tranny. I think this could be established by following cables to side of tranny to little lever. When it is forward, tranny is in true forward. If boat moves forward(and backs to port in reverse) it probably has correct RH prop and shift lever is hooked up backard. If the boat moves backward when tranny lever is forward, boat probably has incorrect LH prop. It would be interesting to ask PO if boat has had a prop change or had shift cables repaired recently.
but I think the first step would be to find true forward in the tranny. I think this could be established by following cables to side of tranny to little lever. When it is forward, tranny is in true forward. If boat moves forward(and backs to port in reverse) it probably has correct RH prop and shift lever is hooked up backard. If the boat moves backward when tranny lever is forward, boat probably has incorrect LH prop. It would be interesting to ask PO if boat has had a prop change or had shift cables repaired recently.
I'm not an expert but
If I install the end of my tranny cable to the front side of the lever on the trans (right now its on the rear side)the shifter at the pedistal will be backward I have the same problem with the throttle cable and thats the way ODay made it but if I reinstall the end of the cable to the other side of the throttle plate I will correct it,requires a longer cable and take apart the pedistal
If I install the end of my tranny cable to the front side of the lever on the trans (right now its on the rear side)the shifter at the pedistal will be backward I have the same problem with the throttle cable and thats the way ODay made it but if I reinstall the end of the cable to the other side of the throttle plate I will correct it,requires a longer cable and take apart the pedistal
You might also want to confirm the throw of
the transmission arm with the Westerbeke engine manuals. You can find the information at www.marinedieseldirect.com or www.torrensen.com
the transmission arm with the Westerbeke engine manuals. You can find the information at www.marinedieseldirect.com or www.torrensen.com
shifting
Every sailboat I have been on the lever goes forward for forward. I have been on some with a button that one need to push in to engage reverse, but not forward. I hate that set up. i like push the lever forward to go that way and pull it back to go that way. What is the thinking behind the button for reverse?
Every sailboat I have been on the lever goes forward for forward. I have been on some with a button that one need to push in to engage reverse, but not forward. I hate that set up. i like push the lever forward to go that way and pull it back to go that way. What is the thinking behind the button for reverse?
good point Stu- I shouldnt just assume.
Who can tell us- on this tranny, is shifter arm on side of tranny case in forward position when tranny is in forward gear? (not talking about hand control lever)
Who can tell us- on this tranny, is shifter arm on side of tranny case in forward position when tranny is in forward gear? (not talking about hand control lever)
Westerbeke is not a stock engine for a Cherubini 27'
so probably when the boat was repowered the shift lever was not aligned to the Westerbeke transmission selector.
so probably when the boat was repowered the shift lever was not aligned to the Westerbeke transmission selector.
Just went through this
A friend just re-powered a boat he bought. The installers set up the shift cable as you described, shift forward for reverse. The solution was to move the cable to the other side of the transmission. Thereby changing the shift to shift forward for forward. This should not be to bad of a job. Take a look at how the cable linkage attaches to the transmission and reinstall it on the other side.
A friend just re-powered a boat he bought. The installers set up the shift cable as you described, shift forward for reverse. The solution was to move the cable to the other side of the transmission. Thereby changing the shift to shift forward for forward. This should not be to bad of a job. Take a look at how the cable linkage attaches to the transmission and reinstall it on the other side.
Better way to confirm forward
In forward, the coupling and the propshaft both go the same way. In reverse, they go opposite ways.
In forward, the coupling and the propshaft both go the same way. In reverse, they go opposite ways.
Brian, I think you mean the engine flywheel
or main crankshaft pulley, not the coupling. If the coupling and the prop shaft went different ways, I daresay there'd be a quite different problem...
or main crankshaft pulley, not the coupling. If the coupling and the prop shaft went different ways, I daresay there'd be a quite different problem...
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