Leaving the engine in neutral under sail

Hartalee

Hartalee

.
Sep 23, 2014
3
hunter 33 Breton Bay
To all,

Thank you for your responses concerning head sail size. I ended up coming across an old sail this winter, so am going to do some measurements and see if it fits.

We have a 3 blade prop on our Hunter 33(dealer installed). She is a 2005, and has the upgrade Yanmar 29hp engine.

I feel that the three blade prop does show a good bit of drag, what kind of damage am I doing if I simply leave the engine in neutral and let the prop spin under sail? It will only spin when she starts getting near 5-6 knots. We usually lock it in reverse under sail.

Thoughts? Has anyone changed the pitch on these types of props?

Justin
 
P

paul1938

.
May 17, 2010
99
hunter 33 marina del rey
I have a 2005 H33 also. It had a 2 blade. I just switched to a Kiwiprop[3 blade feathering]. It is smoother when running, faster when sailing, with the motor off.
BUT IT WILL NOT BACK UP TO STAREBOARD!!! I thought it might have been me but my boat mechanic also tried, it does not go to starboard even if the rudder is cranked to port.
I've learned to back out to the main channel.
I'd get it again though, as it's other attributes are that good.
The Yanmar book says to lock it up when sailing, I also have the 29HP.

Paul
 
centerline

centerline

.
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
a thread just a couple days past says if it is a yanmar, its proper to leave it in neutral while sailing so it can turn... damage could result otherwise....
 
centerline

centerline

.
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
paul1938 said:
BUT IT WILL NOT BACK UP TO STAREBOARD!!!

Paul
Click to expand
this is normal... starboard or port, depending on the rotation of the prop.
at the "normal" backing up speeds we want while maneuvering near the dock, we usually dont have enough speed for steerage, yet the prop walk will definitely pull us in the direction that we usually dont want to go.
but once you get some way on in reverse, then your rudder becomes more effective and you will have steerage then.

try it out in open water and you will see you can steer in reverse when you have some speed up, but this does you very little good when trying to get into or out of your slip:D
 
tomgrigsby

tomgrigsby

.
May 21, 2009
360
Hunter 30 Smithfield, VA
Re: Neutral: See Link

As per the links above to Yanmar Service Bulletin - let it freewheel.
 
Scott B

Scott B

.
Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
If its a fixed blade prop, see the above link for the Yanmar Service Advisory.
I have a Vari-Prop on mine so is a little different to get it to feather, then much less drag.

As far as backing with prop walk, try goosing the throttle to get water flowing over the rudder to gain steering. i.e. rev it up then back off and do again as you gain steering.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

.
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
?????

Just a question and I am not expert but if free wheeling isn't everything
spinning and wear and tear going on with the tranny and if in reverse
or any gear keep from turning and wear on the tranny.
I did keep the tranny in reverse on my old 2 blade Hunter 290 and when in neutral I could hear it spinning while sailing and so I would put it in reverse and no free wheeling.
I don't get how can any damage from leaving it in reverse,I am just asking.
I have a Flex o Fold prop and leave it in reverse when sailing.
Nick
 
B

Benny17441

.
May 24, 2004
7,176
CC 30 South Florida
paul1938 said:
I have a 2005 H33 also. It had a 2 blade. I just switched to a Kiwiprop[3 blade feathering]. It is smoother when running, faster when sailing, with the motor off.
BUT IT WILL NOT BACK UP TO STAREBOARD!!! I thought it might have been me but my boat mechanic also tried, it does not go to starboard even if the rudder is cranked to port.
I've learned to back out to the main channel.
I'd get it again though, as it's other attributes are that good.
The Yanmar book says to lock it up when sailing, I also have the 29HP.

Paul
Click to expand
The prop has probably induced an increased walk to port. It is indeed strange as 3 blade props usually reduce walk. Make sure the size and pitch are correct. Locking up the prop results in increased drag. Yanmar a couple of years ago reassessed their recommendations based in shop records and customer input to recommend the transmissions be allowed to freewheel in neutral. The gears and bearing are well lubricated under motion and it reduces stress thrust forces on the gears and clutch. For other makes and non standard transmissions manufacturers recommendations should be followed.
 
tomgrigsby

tomgrigsby

.
May 21, 2009
360
Hunter 30 Smithfield, VA
seadaddler said:
Just a question and I am not expert but if free wheeling isn't everything spinning and wear and tear going on with the tranny and if in reverse or any gear keep from turning and wear on the tranny.
I did keep the tranny in reverse on my old 2 blade Hunter 290 and when in neutral I could hear it spinning while sailing and so I would put it in reverse and no free wheeling.
I don't get how can any damage from leaving it in reverse,I am just asking.
I have a Flex o Fold prop and leave it in reverse when sailing.
Nick
Click to expand
The Yanmar TSB refers to internal gearbox damage if it is locked in reverse. Something to do with putting a strain on the engagement mechanism - I don't know the specifics. As noted in the previous post, everything in the gearbox is well lubricated, there is very little torque on freewheeling components, so there would really be very minimal wear and tear on components.
I know it is counter to what I was always "told," but it seems prudent to follow the manufacturer's recommendation.
 
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