I have a 2004 Hunter 33 with a Yanmar 3GM engine and gearbox. I have been sailing with the transmission in reverse to prevent the propeller from freewheeling. It was always difficult to shift the transmission out of reverse to neutral after sailing when I wanted to start the motor so I have been starting the motor with it in reverse gear and then putting it into neutral once it started turning. This worked for the last four years but lately I am having difficulty starting the engine. The starter either will not turn the engine on first try even though I know the batteries are well charged. My suspicion is that putting the transmission in reverse and preventing the propeller shaft from turning may be locking up the clutch or some other transmission part in a way that makes it difficult to turn when starting. I am now leaving the transmission in neutral until I can figure out why as I want to be able to start my engine at anytime if I get into trouble. I can feel the boat vibrating when sailing fast, likely from the propeller freewheeling and cavitating so would prefer to put the transmission in reverse to lock up the propeller if I can figure out the issue of getting the engine started. Does anyone have the same experience or know something about this? Thanks.
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Sailing in reverse.
You do want to continue to sail with the tranny in reverse. My own and others that I have heard about also are difficult to move to neutral. My trick is to just touch the start button(key) without actually starting the engine. This will usually release the pressure so that you can move the lever to neutral. My theory is that it is the combination of the pressure generated from the boat moving and the age/use of the solenoid. As it ages/wears the solenoid uses more current. Our wiring systems are barely adequate for a new solenoid/starter let alone a worn one. So there just is not a enough juice when the tranny is "locked" in reverse. Eventually you will even find it intermittent in neutral is my guess.
You do want to continue to sail with the tranny in reverse. My own and others that I have heard about also are difficult to move to neutral. My trick is to just touch the start button(key) without actually starting the engine. This will usually release the pressure so that you can move the lever to neutral. My theory is that it is the combination of the pressure generated from the boat moving and the age/use of the solenoid. As it ages/wears the solenoid uses more current. Our wiring systems are barely adequate for a new solenoid/starter let alone a worn one. So there just is not a enough juice when the tranny is "locked" in reverse. Eventually you will even find it intermittent in neutral is my guess.
Oliver, had the same problem
On our H356, we needed to come to a stop to get out of reverse. We almost got into trouble with 30kt winds and trying to start the engine with sails flapping all over the place. Joan finally agreed to getting a feathering prop - Kiwi. Now it's not a problem anymore and don't have to shift into reverse. Jim S/V Java
On our H356, we needed to come to a stop to get out of reverse. We almost got into trouble with 30kt winds and trying to start the engine with sails flapping all over the place. Joan finally agreed to getting a feathering prop - Kiwi. Now it's not a problem anymore and don't have to shift into reverse. Jim S/V Java
Reverse
I did have the same problem on my Hunter 290 but it usually came out when starting the motor in reverse which I had no problem. I now have the same engine you have in my 2007 36 and really had no problem sailing in reverse and no problem taking it out of reverse. I would think you should not have a problem doing so with your 2004 so check and make sure your starter connections are good and tranny linkage moving smooth. I just changed to a flex o fold prop and so far I am very happy with it,motoring is so much better than my three blade fixed prop was,I really now think it was the wrong pitch for my boat,sailing is even improved in light air and well the sailing improved over all in every point of sail. Nick
I did have the same problem on my Hunter 290 but it usually came out when starting the motor in reverse which I had no problem. I now have the same engine you have in my 2007 36 and really had no problem sailing in reverse and no problem taking it out of reverse. I would think you should not have a problem doing so with your 2004 so check and make sure your starter connections are good and tranny linkage moving smooth. I just changed to a flex o fold prop and so far I am very happy with it,motoring is so much better than my three blade fixed prop was,I really now think it was the wrong pitch for my boat,sailing is even improved in light air and well the sailing improved over all in every point of sail. Nick
starting H33 in reverse
Oliver, I also have a 2004 H33, and have been starting the engine in reverse for the same reason, with no problems. I used to do it with my previous boat (Catalina) with no problems, after 6 years of ownership. I plan on doing this until I hear credible evidence to the contrary about starting in reverse. Michael
Oliver, I also have a 2004 H33, and have been starting the engine in reverse for the same reason, with no problems. I used to do it with my previous boat (Catalina) with no problems, after 6 years of ownership. I plan on doing this until I hear credible evidence to the contrary about starting in reverse. Michael
Thanks for the comments.
One possibility for my problem is that I have been feeling uneasy about starting in reverse as it seems to stress the engine somewhat and it sometimes cough and grunt when starting. Therefore I tend to try to shift into neutral if I can before starting. It is possible that in trying to shift to neutral from reverse before starting that it may cause binding of the gears? I appreciate the comments about possible loose connections in the starter circuit but I have just replaced my batteries this season and the GPS cuts out when I start the engine. That to me means that the battery voltage dipped considerably when the starter engaged and therefore the starter circuit should be good and the starter is drawing a lot of current but the engine must be binding or becoming harder to start. Leaving the transmission on neutral while sailing and then starting has been easy starting with none of the issues so something is happening in the gearbox that I should know about.
One possibility for my problem is that I have been feeling uneasy about starting in reverse as it seems to stress the engine somewhat and it sometimes cough and grunt when starting. Therefore I tend to try to shift into neutral if I can before starting. It is possible that in trying to shift to neutral from reverse before starting that it may cause binding of the gears? I appreciate the comments about possible loose connections in the starter circuit but I have just replaced my batteries this season and the GPS cuts out when I start the engine. That to me means that the battery voltage dipped considerably when the starter engaged and therefore the starter circuit should be good and the starter is drawing a lot of current but the engine must be binding or becoming harder to start. Leaving the transmission on neutral while sailing and then starting has been easy starting with none of the issues so something is happening in the gearbox that I should know about.
Sounds hard on the starter
I'm hoping you drop sail or heave to when starting the engine with the trans in reverse. I've got to assume it has to put a heck of a lot of stress on the starter, trying to spin the prop in the opposite direction of the water flow. Not the best analogy but it seems like it would be similar to starting your car in gear. Might not hurt to send an email to Yanmar, they should be able to give you a definitive answer. Manny
I'm hoping you drop sail or heave to when starting the engine with the trans in reverse. I've got to assume it has to put a heck of a lot of stress on the starter, trying to spin the prop in the opposite direction of the water flow. Not the best analogy but it seems like it would be similar to starting your car in gear. Might not hurt to send an email to Yanmar, they should be able to give you a definitive answer. Manny
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