Neutral or in gear?

[drrpm]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

Truck in gear, boat in neutral.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

I can say without any doubt at all that a sail (only) boat should be towed in neutral

 

[ssobol]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

The manual for the Mercury motor I had last year said tow it with the motor in gear to avoid wear from the spinning prop.

The manual for the Yamaha I have now does not mention anything about the motor and towing.

I do tow it with the motor in gear.

 

[guy74]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

I never really thought about this particular issue, but since the prop on my boat doesn't seem to spin in the wind anyway, I guess I won't bother putting it in gear.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

What would be wrong w/ a bungee cord wrapped around the prop and LU, preventing the prop from turning? Or would this start a whole new club similar, but opposite to the "forgot the plug" club??
Mike

 

[JimS123]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

I never gave this subject a thought until now. I guess I never thought a prop would spin that much on the highway to do any damage.

But in the water is another story. My kicker is on a retractable bracket, but in the up position if I'm traveling below planing speed the prop drags half way in the water and spins violently. I travel the canal for miles each time out.

When i bought the motor new (a 9.9 Evinrude) I sent a letter to OMC's TS department and asked what to do....i.e., put it in gear or tilt it up, etc. Their written reply was don't worry about it...a spinning prop will do no damage.

That was 27 years ago and to my knowledge it hasn't hurt the motor yet. I still have that letter.

 

[109jb]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

If you do put it in gear I would recommend forward gear. The reverse gear and clutch dog on some engines have square teeth and are designed to mesh when things are turning. Now there is a spring, but if the gear and dog happen to be lined up wrong you could be putting a lot of stress on the shift linkage, spring, cable, etc. In forward the clutch dog and forward gear have teeth that have ramps and they will mesh, plus forward gear is where the shift cam is actually shortest so you don't have to worry about stressing the shift components. I personally don't worry about it and trailer in neutral and have never had a problem.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

I personally don't worry about it and trailer in neutral and have never had a problem.

Your trailer has gears?

 

[Fed]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

I don't think I could say I've ever seen a prop spinning in the wind and I think most people leave their motors in neutral.
Maybe it happens I don't know, I need someone to follow me.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Neutral or in gear?

there was a long discussion here about not shifting a motor unless it's running, and there was sound mechanical reasons not to, even though I and thousands of others have done it all our lives.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

I followed someone on the interstate towing a boat and the prop was spinning. Un needed wear and tear on the bearings. If somethings movin somethings wearing out. I put on 400 highway miles this weekend and I'm glad I didn't put that mileage on the prop shaft bearings too. In gear or some other way to keep it spinning is the way to go.

 

[esemilio]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

The "wear" may occur on the water pump impeller - I believe it will be spinning anytine the propeller spins & if it is out of the water there is nothing lubricating it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

The "wear" may occur on the water pump impeller - I believe it will be spinning anytine the propeller spins & if it is out of the water there is nothing lubricating it.

NO it won't.

What a dumb thread!

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

What a dumb thread!

Hilariously entertaining none the less.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

People have to much time on their hands thinking about this stuff. Bad enough I have too much time on my hands reading it.

Yes...very amusing!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Neutral or in gear?

next they'll be worrying that the wind at highway speed wears down the ablative bottom paint.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

Sometimes I tow my boat in gear...............................


Because the shift lever interferes with the boat cover.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

You know I kind of feel that if this was an issue the manufacturer would either of made something to hold the prop from spinning, or designate in the manual to place the boat in gear. I know in regards to mine, there is neither. On a side note a buddy of mine puts a bunjee cord on his outboard.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

next they'll be worrying that the wind at highway speed wears down the ablative bottom paint.

I never thought of this!!! Perhaps I could apply the coating used on the tiles of the space shuttle to withstand the friction and heat of re-entry into the atmosphere? Anybody know where I could get this? Do you think it has anti-fouling quality's? Can it be sprayed on, or is it brush on only? Do you suppose it comes in blue, or only black and white?

 

[skargo]

Re: Neutral or in gear?

NO it won't.

What a dumb thread!

LOL!