[C320-list] neutral or in gear while under sail

[Martin Rosenberg]

Before the 2008 Service Advisory, I was always told, by Mack Boring (a
certified Yanmar facility) that the transmission would not get sufficient
lubrication when powered by the turning propeller rather than the engine
and that it should be in reverse when sailing without the engine running, I
have also found (please don't ask why) that a non-rotating propeller will
not be fouled by a spinnaker line or other stuff in the water. I have owned
2 Yanmar engines over the past 18 years and have never experienced or heard
of anyone having a problem from sailing with the transmission in reverse
gear. I have heard, however, that there is the possibility of damage if you
try to force the lever into neutral while the pressure of the water is
holding it in place. I have also heard that Yanmar is concerned because the
safest way to move the lever to neutral is after starting the engine and
they are afraid of being liable for physical damage if the engine is
started in reverse.
Martin Rosenberg
Avalon  #823

On Thu, Oct 16, 2014 at 10:29 PM, Gene Helfman <genehelfman at gmail.com>
wrote:

>  Had enough wind today to hear the prop rotating while on a reach.  Ensuing
> discussion with two fellow sailors on the boat at the time.  One maintains
> that tranny should be in reverse when under sail because turning shaft
> insufficiently lubricated when engine is not on. I've always put it in
> neutral to reduce drag and figure since the cooling water is on the drip
> drip drip should prevent any real shaft friction.
>
> Opinions? (3GM30F, Satori, #398, 1997)
>
> --
> Gene Helfman, Professor Emeritus
> Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
> PERMANENT address:
>     498 Shoreland Dr., Lopez Is., WA 98261
>     (360) 468-2136
>     genehelfman at gmail.com
>
> "You noticed nobody gives a damn about beached minnows."
>