[C320-list] Reverse or neutral transmission while sailing

[kskis at aol.com]

On #963, 2004 Yanmar 3GM30F, prior owner kept tran in reverse.  Result after a few years was a need to rebuild the transmission (repaired/replaced "cones").  Maybe it is how you restart that has made a difference for you.  Neil Kornblatt, Harmony


-----Original Message-----
From: Allan Field <allanfield47 at gmail.com>
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Sent: Fri, Oct 29, 2021 3:03 pm
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Reverse or neutral transmission while sailing

Over the last 34 years, I have owned 3 boats - an Ericson 30 for 13 years
and 2 Catalinas for the past 21 years. I have always put the transmission
in reverse after shutting down the engine and have never had a single
transmission issue. But one thing I do is restart the engine with the
transmission still in reverse then bring it to neutral or forward. The
shifting is very smooth, versus trying to shift back into neutral with the
engine still off, that "feels" tough on the tranny. Over the years, for
every article or subject matter expert I have found that says sail in
neutral, I have found an equal number that say sail with the transmission
in reverse. For example, the Mack Boring rep' at the Annapolis Boat Show
many years ago told me to keep it in reverse while a local Yanmar rep' said
neutral). So...I am only sharing what has worked for me and have no valid
source of truth that speaks to which option is the best. Hope this helps
but I doubt it will!

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - C387, #103 (formerly C320, #808)
Columbia, MD


On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 2:04 PM Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:

>  The manual for my older hull (#32) Hurth transmission (HBW 50 - 2R) says
> the transmission must be in neutral while sailing (and that rotation of the
> propeller will cause no damage while under no load, such as for sailing,
> being towed or while docked on a river with current).  The manual says
> never put the gear lever in the direction of travel (forward) while
> sailing,  The manual is confusing though in that it then says locking of
> the propeller shaft by having a separate brake is not needed, just put the
> transmission in reverse.  So, the manual seems to suggest either neutral or
> reverse is ok for sailing.
> Dave Hupe1994 C320 (#32)
>
>
>