Freewheeling prop?

[richardh10]

I have a Volvo D2-40, and can find no mention of whether, when I am sailing, I should leave the prop to freewheel, put it in forward, or put it in reverse. I tried contacting Volvo - no reply. I tried the Volvo dealer who installed it - no reply. Any chance somebody here could help me out?

Thanks

 

[pcatterall]

Yes about a thousand people all with different ideas!!
Just wait and see!

 

[coopec]

Tranona
11-01-16, 18:32
IIRC ( but I might not) Volvo say reverse gear for shaft drive boxes but free spinning for sail drives.

To quote from my Operators handbook.

"Sailing

When sailing set the control lever in astern if a folding propeller is fitted.

If a fixed propeller is fitted the control lever should be set in neutral or reverse. When using a fixed propeller and sailing with the control lever set to reverse the speed is slowed down though less noise is made"

Manual is for D1 and D2 engines with either conventional or saildrive.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-447631.html

NOTE
Borg Warner have stated that a freewheeling prop will not do damage to their "velvet drive" gear box.

Clive Cooper

 

[Tranona]

Yes, it is covered in the owners manual as coopec says. However, leaving a saildrive in neutral with a fixed prop can result in noise when sailing at higher speeds, so many people do put it in reverse seemingly without any adverse consequences. If it is difficult to get into neutral to start the engine there is no interlock so you can start in gear and immediately put into neutral.

 

[VicS]

Yes, it is covered in the owners manual as coopec says. However, leaving a saildrive in neutral with a fixed prop can result in noise when sailing at higher speeds, so many people do put it in reverse seemingly without any adverse consequences. If it is difficult to get into neutral to start the engine there is no interlock so you can start in gear and immediately put into neutral.

I guess it's gearboxes with cone clutches that are prone to this phenomenon if left in forward(?) gear ?

 

[Laysula]

Fit a folding or feathering prop and don't worry about it. Your boat will sail faster as well.