Sailing: In gear or nuetral

[airboat86]

I usually sail with my motor raised and out of the water. I was quite busy with gusty shifty high winds today and decided just to raise it. The prop was in the water turning. Would it be better for the motor to leave it in gear?

 

[jrs_diesel]

Re: Sailing: In gear or nuetral

Should be perfectly fine in neutral. It will simply windmill (watermill) in the flow. Don't have to worry about the bearings since they're bathed in 90 weight gear oil. My 6 HP does it too sometimes on my Oday 22 depending on my heel angle and speed.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Sailing: In gear or nuetral

Neutral would be preferred. Depending on make/model, some LU's can "ratchet" the clutch dog when sailing and the motor is in F. My NSF9.8A3 with HT prop will. No point in clicking the clutch dog all day. Plus, when you get ready to motor into the harbor, you're already in N, and the starter safety lock is disengaged.