[bratzcpa]

All right, so this might be a silly question, but . . . we have a new boat (2001 Catalina 320). It has an inboard diesel - this is new to us. Up to now, our sailing experience has been with in an outboard mounted off the stern.

In that case, we would simply raise the outboard out of the water when sailing. Simply: no drag, no wear & tear on the motor.

On this new boat, however, what do we do with the transmission when the motor is off and we're sailing? So far, we've been leaving it in Neutral. Interestingly, I can see the prop shaft turning as we're underway. Does this cause any "non-good" wear in the transmission.

Other people have told me that you should leave it in gear so that the prop doesn't rotate.

Opinions? Thoughts?

BTW, it's a Catalina 320, Yanmar 3gm30 diesel engine, 2-blade fixed prop.

Thank you!

 

[mgmhead]

Read the manual. My Yanmar (3JH3E) specifies sail in neutral. That doesn't mean it's right for your engine/transmission combo. The authority is your owners manual. A thought, check for an online Catalina 320 owners group. At least then you will hopefully be getting advice from fellow 320 owners.

Good sailing.

 

[capttb]

Yanmar with Kanzaki transmission neutral only, Yanmar issued a TSB
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/584140-post1.html
I have a 2002 320, neutral.

 

[PaulinVictoria]

What they said. If you are really worried about it, you can fit a shaft brake. Of course you have to remember to release that before putting it in gear again.

 

[Scotty C-M]

Yes, check your manuel. I have the Yanmar3JHAE so I leave it in neutral, as per Yanmar instructions. Certain Universals with Hearth transmissions leave them in reverse. Check your manuel - or call a dealer.

 

[celenoglu]

Sail drives should be left in neutral, otherwise the conical clutch is damaged. Direct dirives in reverse, to overcome prop noise.

 

[mitiempo]

Direct drives in reverse, to overcome prop noise.

With the aforementioned Yanmar/Kanzaki exception and possibly others.

 

[Minnewaska]

The manual for your motor/transmission is all that counts here.

It has been generically proven that a free spinning fixed prop creates less drag, but you still have to do what your manual says. A spinning prop can be noisy, but if it's what your manual requires, your only remaining choice is a shaft brake. I know I would forget to unlock it from time to time, not to mention the restriction, if needing the motor immediately.

Different again, if you upgraded to a folding/feathering prop. In which case, you typically go to reverse to get it to fold/feather and then back to neutral and the shaft stays in fixed place on its own.

 

[TQA]

If you want to apply a shaft lock then one way is to have a piece of string fixed at one end with a loop which you drop over a coupling bolt.

Prop shaft stops turning and if you forget or need power in a hurry the string breaks.

 

[paul323]

It depends on the type of propeller you have.

With your fixed propeller, the advice above is good. Read the manual. Neutral does generally cause some noise, which is why people lock it in reverse. In reverse it is quieter, but you get even more drag, and some engines do not recommend this configuration.

With a folding or feathering propeller, you slip it into reverse to fold or feather the blades; then typically you put it back into neutral so you don't accidentally leave it in gear. No noise, minimal drag, lighter wallet. Much lighter wallet. Makes you go faster, though

 

[MarkSF]

I have no need of any additional ways to lighten my wallet....

 

[bratzcpa]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I found the info and link from Maine Sail to be definitive. I'll go with that. But in the interest of always trying to "get smarter" (ha ha, right!) I sure will keep my eyes and ears open for any other or new information out there.

and maybe I'll find a folding/feathering prop at a swap meet someday too.

~markb

 

[Minnewaska]

and maybe I'll find a folding/feathering prop at a swap meet someday too.

~markb

Unlikely. No one ever sells them!