Gear Position while Sailing

[Bene281]

Hi - So far, we always put the transmission into reverse gear when sailing without motor to prevent the prop shaft from turning. Just recently, we got aware of Yanmar's advisory (#MSA08-003, Year 2008), which very clearly states that "Yanmar requires that if sailing with the engine OFF (not running) the transmission shifter must be in the neutral position or internal damage to the gear or sail-drive will result."

So we now started putting the shifter into neutral when sailing. Obviously, the prop shaft will now start turning while sailing. That's OK up until a speed-over-ground of about 4 kts, at which point the noise is noticeable and - more annoying - you feel a vibration in the cockpit. 

Furthermore, with the trip-less, water-cooled stern tube - any concerns if the prop shaft is turning now with engine off, will the stern tube still be cooled?

What do you do - put shifter into neutral when sailing, or put it into reverse gear? Anybody has a shaft brake installed on the bene281?

Thanks!

[Persistence (David)]

We've always put the drive into neutral when sailing and yes, put up with a bit of vibration once over about 5kts.  As far as the rear bearing heating up, the water cooling in the dripless glad is not of a forced nature anyway so it just cools as it normally would.  We've never had an issue with any form of overheating or anything else.  It's also a great way to see if your shaft is slightly bent or misaligned.  With the motor running the engine vibrates on the mounts and you can't really see if you are out of alignment or have a slight "wow" in the prop shaft.  When sailing in neutral and the engine off you can hold a 2' / .75M level against the shaft  and look for any misalignment as it turns - very simple.

I can appreciate that if you leave the engine in gear (either forward or reverse) you are continually putting varying pressure on the clutch which can't be good over the long haul.

[Bene281]

Thanks David - appreciate your feedback, and good points you make. Thanks!

[Edwin Johnson]

All

Interesting discussion!

We cannot say we have had any notice of such issues. We always leave our clutch in neutral when sailing and often sail over 6  and even 7 knts and have not noticed the vibration you described. We have a Volvo Penta engine. For those of you in the group with the Volvo Penta is that your experience?

Best

Ed

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Beneteau 281" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to beneteau-281...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to benete...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/beneteau-281.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Bene281]

Other then the (relatively small) vibrations, I don't like the propeller spinning because as it increases the risk of getting one of these fish traps or crab pots or others entangled around the propeller. Less problematic if the propeller is locked - thus wondering if  shaft brake is a possibly and makes much sense.

[Sean Kubovcik]

I keep in neutral when I sail.  I have had it in reverse to eliminate the noise and vibration, but have had a hard time shifting to neutral when I wanted to start the motor. Shifting while the shaft is spinning is most likely not a good idea.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 28, 2016, at 3:38 PM, Bene281 <ke...@privweb.com> wrote:

Other then the (relatively small) vibrations, I don't like the propeller spinning because as it increases the risk of getting one of these fish traps or crab pots or others entangled around the propeller. Less problematic if the propeller is locked - thus wondering if  shaft brake is a possibly and makes much sense.

--

[Han Brinkman]

Hi,

I do have a volvo penta as well, above 5,5 knots I feel a vibration too. Not sure if it's because of the propellor turning. I do have the clutch in neutral position as well during sailing.

Regards,

Han

Op 28-7-2016 om 18:57 schreef Edwin Johnson: