WHILE SAILING AND NOT UNDER POWER SHOULD GEAR BE IN NEUTRAL, FORWARD OR REVERSE? I HAVE A YANMAR 21 HP DIESEL AND THE MANUAL PROVIDES NO GUIDANCE ON THIS MATTER
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when it spins, we put it in reverse.
Burt: We have a 1985 H'31 w/2GM20F. If we hear the prop spinning we put the transmission in reverse. There have been numerous posts in the archives regarding this issue. Personally I do not think it makes any difference and that is why there is no guidance in the manual.
Burt: We have a 1985 H'31 w/2GM20F. If we hear the prop spinning we put the transmission in reverse. There have been numerous posts in the archives regarding this issue. Personally I do not think it makes any difference and that is why there is no guidance in the manual.
There is a lot of
discussion concerning boat speed with the prop free wheeling and locked. With a two blade prop emerging from the keel, locking it vertical behind the keel is said to increase boat speed a little. And there is some evidence that a free turning propeller causes a little more drag than a locked one. I don't believe that the transmission cares one way or the other.
discussion concerning boat speed with the prop free wheeling and locked. With a two blade prop emerging from the keel, locking it vertical behind the keel is said to increase boat speed a little. And there is some evidence that a free turning propeller causes a little more drag than a locked one. I don't believe that the transmission cares one way or the other.
My 2 cents 
This topic is always beat to death because there are several opinions about the matter. My marina mgr and others simply suggest that I put it in reverse gear so that it doesn't freewheel and put undue rotations on the trans. To me, I feel that I may get to my destination about two minutes slower, so why not save the trans?
This topic is always beat to death because there are several opinions about the matter. My marina mgr and others simply suggest that I put it in reverse gear so that it doesn't freewheel and put undue rotations on the trans. To me, I feel that I may get to my destination about two minutes slower, so why not save the trans?
Pearson 323 manual says reverse
My pearson with a volvo MD11C and walter V drive recommends but it in reverse. It does make some noise if it is left in neutral. As a little side note I had a low battery and the motor wouldn't start in neutral as it was turning over too slowly. While sailing at about 5 kts I put it in gear and tried to start the motor. It started!!!! The engine was turning over noticeably faster.
My pearson with a volvo MD11C and walter V drive recommends but it in reverse. It does make some noise if it is left in neutral. As a little side note I had a low battery and the motor wouldn't start in neutral as it was turning over too slowly. While sailing at about 5 kts I put it in gear and tried to start the motor. It started!!!! The engine was turning over noticeably faster.
Let it freewheel or place in reverse.
Yanmar recommends you place it in reverse to stop the spinning. Now don't forget to slow the boat down to below 1.5 knots before coming back to neutral as it will be hard to get out of gear and the wear on the gear and internal shifting mechanism will offset any gains if you continuosly force it. Other makes require you place it in forward so always check with your manufacturer.
Yanmar recommends you place it in reverse to stop the spinning. Now don't forget to slow the boat down to below 1.5 knots before coming back to neutral as it will be hard to get out of gear and the wear on the gear and internal shifting mechanism will offset any gains if you continuosly force it. Other makes require you place it in forward so always check with your manufacturer.
A transmission issue
This question usually elicits the "neutral or reverse" answer, but the definitive answer for your boat should be found in the transmission manual, not the engine manual. Mine says neutral or reverse (and never forward); I prefer reverse because it is quieter.
This question usually elicits the "neutral or reverse" answer, but the definitive answer for your boat should be found in the transmission manual, not the engine manual. Mine says neutral or reverse (and never forward); I prefer reverse because it is quieter.
Is Tom right or not
I say not. If the boat is moving forward with tranny in neutral, won't the prop spin in reverse direction. So boat going forward, tranny in forward for engine start, I say forces are trying to spin the prop in reverse when you try to start engine. So using Tom's method, you would want to try to start engine in reverse gear while boat is moving forward. Sounds "backwards" I realize. OK Tom just said he put it in gear, didn't say forward or reverse. Am I right or all wet?
I say not. If the boat is moving forward with tranny in neutral, won't the prop spin in reverse direction. So boat going forward, tranny in forward for engine start, I say forces are trying to spin the prop in reverse when you try to start engine. So using Tom's method, you would want to try to start engine in reverse gear while boat is moving forward. Sounds "backwards" I realize. OK Tom just said he put it in gear, didn't say forward or reverse. Am I right or all wet?
Yanmar mech says
I just put a new Yanmar GM20 into my boat and the local mech/distributor says that although it is recommended that the trans be in reverse the gears of the main shaft are low and always submerged in oil so he just tells people to leave it in neutral and sail.
I just put a new Yanmar GM20 into my boat and the local mech/distributor says that although it is recommended that the trans be in reverse the gears of the main shaft are low and always submerged in oil so he just tells people to leave it in neutral and sail.
Agree with Bob
I recently attended a seminar by Yanmar and this question came up. The answer given by the Yanmar regional rep was that Yanmar now recommends leaving the gear in neutral. He said that the only negative if you leave it in neutral is that it can occasionally stick in gear and require some muscle to get it back into neutral before restarting, potentially causing damage to the linkage. The shaft is bathed in oil so there's no harm in letting it freewheel other than a little drag.
I recently attended a seminar by Yanmar and this question came up. The answer given by the Yanmar regional rep was that Yanmar now recommends leaving the gear in neutral. He said that the only negative if you leave it in neutral is that it can occasionally stick in gear and require some muscle to get it back into neutral before restarting, potentially causing damage to the linkage. The shaft is bathed in oil so there's no harm in letting it freewheel other than a little drag.
Spining and Spining
The dealers rep for my 2004 Catalina 387, Chesapeake Yacht Sales in Deltaville Virginia, indicates for my boat, with a Yanmar 40, after the installation of a factory upgrade, the cooling nozzle added to the cutlass bearing, to put the transmission in reverse so to stop the cutlass bearing from turning and wearing out. Period. I sacrifice about a knot by doing this. Not sure what Catalina is saying for other Cats or what other manufacturers are saying, but this is the word I was told. So I take it as gospel until I am convinced otherwise!
The dealers rep for my 2004 Catalina 387, Chesapeake Yacht Sales in Deltaville Virginia, indicates for my boat, with a Yanmar 40, after the installation of a factory upgrade, the cooling nozzle added to the cutlass bearing, to put the transmission in reverse so to stop the cutlass bearing from turning and wearing out. Period. I sacrifice about a knot by doing this. Not sure what Catalina is saying for other Cats or what other manufacturers are saying, but this is the word I was told. So I take it as gospel until I am convinced otherwise!
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