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

[Jon Vez]

The reason Yanmar recommends against sailing in gear is because the Kanzaki transmissions are cone clutch type transmissions and the cones can jam with the force of the prop not freewheeling. The Kanzaki tranny is also lubricated via oil bath, so whether the engine is running or not, does not affect lubrication. Bigger trannies often have a pump that requires an engine running for proper lubrication.
Many Universals are equipped with Hurth Transmissions, which are geared and I believe they do still recommend sailing in reverse. I think some of the confusion on this has been the fact that Hurth was by far the most common type of Trannies found on small auxiliaries and their recommendation bled over to all types of transmissions. Additionally Hurth tends to use transmission fluid whereas the Kanzaki's use motor oil.
One pro of freewheeling is less drag (google MITs tests), but a con is the cutless may wear a bit sooner.
As they say, your boat your choice....

Sent from my iPad

> On Oct 17, 2014, at 10:16 AM, Martin Rosenberg <martinlrosenberg at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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."
>>