Gear position under sail w. left hand prop

Z

zighamner

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Jan 15, 2013
4
Catalina 30 San Diego
Hi All,
We have a 30' Catalina whose previous owner changed from an Atomic 4 gas engine to a small (10 hp) Volvo-Penta diesel. It has a left-handed prop. Many sailors say to sail when engine off with transmission gear in reverse. But, if reverse with right hand prop, should it be "forward" with left hand prop. Does it make a difference to engine/transmission wear or to boat vibration?
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,049
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
If arranged properly, the LH or RH prop shouldn't make any difference. However, the RIGHT way to do it is to identify the manufacturer of the TRANSMISSION (not just the engine), & regardless of engine, find out from them, not a sailing forum like this. You know, go to the "horse's mouth."

Good luck.
 
Jacktar

Jacktar

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Sep 14, 2014
1,279
Catalina 22 Pensacola, Florida
I agree, you want it in gear, not neutral, but its the transmission that needs to be accommodated not the engine or direction of prop. Go with advice to contact manufacturer.
 
S

Serenity21306

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Dec 7, 2004
18
Catalina 320 Lakeshore, Miss.
I have never understood why it matters whether you chose F or R. Isn't the point simply to stop all rotation? "Stopped" has no direction of rotation.

Richard, SV Serenity, Catalina 320
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,049
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Serenity21306 said:
I have never understood why it matters whether you chose F or R. Isn't the point simply to stop all rotation? "Stopped" has no direction of rotation.

Richard, SV Serenity, Catalina 320
Click to expand
Because on a Hurth the gear will "slip" in forward and shed metallic bits of the clutch plates into the gear fluid. Once the metallic bits are in the fluid they begin to eat away at the thrust bearing until your gear begins to slip when running the engine.. Reverse locks it and it won't rotate, forward does not and causes major damage.....

If you have a Yanmar then you need to leave it in neutral....
 
S

Serenity21306

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Dec 7, 2004
18
Catalina 320 Lakeshore, Miss.
Re. Correct Gear Position Under Sail

Thanks, guys, for the input. I have a Perkins/Hurth combo, so it looks like reverse for me. I had always thought reverse was correct but often forgot until I eventually would hear a rotating sound coming from below.
 
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