Prop in gear or neutral when sailing?

[Genkigary]

Up to now I've been sailing with the trans in neutral. Just read a post saying the transmission needs to be engaged. I gave a fixed blade prop. What is everyone else doing?

 

[jsalley]

Lots of previous discussion on this - check the archives. Bottom line - depends on the manufacturer of your engine/transmission. Yanmar = neutral (required by warranty), others = variable, but never locked in reverse.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Lots of previous discussion on this - check the archives. Bottom line - depends on the manufacturer of your engine/transmission. Yanmar = neutral (required by warranty), others = variable, but never locked in reverse.

Correct, BUT... Hurth transmissions are either neutral or reverse, never forward.

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Right_Transmission_Gear_for_Sailing

 

[jsalley]

Thanks Stu - you are absolutely right, I had a brain freeze. Should have said never leave in FORWARD.

 

[Genkigary]

Thanks JS. Intuitively it seemed neutral was correct.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

The Official Word

NM