Going forward in reverse

[VicS]

Thank you to everyone for responding to this thread. There's much more useful information here than I ever thought we'd get. I suspect we'll probably give it a try (after swapping the gear cable to the opposite end of the morse lever), but aware of the side effects: may need more revs to compensate for small change in ratio; possible increased gear whine; and check gearbox oil, temperature, noise and vibrations regularly for signs of excessive wear.

In the meantime, if you see an X-342 called Xarifa coming out of the Hamble stern first, you'll know why!

There is no difference in ratio!

Id not expect any whine or other noise or vibration.

In the long term there may be wear !

Even though it will seem to operate perfectly satisfactorily the only sensible thing to do is to swap the prop for a correctly handed one as soon as possible. Without delay if there any unusual noses

 

[scottie]

They are designed to run either way every other Volvo outdrive in a twin screw boat is running the other way .
Leave it alone except for changing the gear cable connection so that the control is the correct way round.
You do not need to change the prop you should not have excessive wear or noise.

 

[VicS]

They are designed to run either way every other Volvo outdrive in a twin screw boat is running the other way .
Leave it alone except for changing the gear cable connection so that the control is the correct way round.
You do not need to change the prop you should not have excessive wear or noise.

And outdrive gearboxes are designed exactly the same as an MS2 gear box ?? Or are they designed to be operated in either direction?

 

[kieronriley]

didnt hurt mine

i ran my gearbox in reverse for five years before someone pointed it out to me,having changed the prop and now running it in foward gear for the last five years i havnt noticed any difference in performane noise or anyhting else,by the way mine is a hurth which runs 2:1 forward and 1.85:1 in reverse,kieron

 

[scottie]

And outdrive gearboxes are designed exactly the same as an MS2 gear box ?? Or are they designed to be operated in either direction?

Yes same principle just a shorter verticle shaft and also the early volvo own brand saildrives and yes they are designed to run in both rotations

In outdrive installations lower speed boats use left hand props as they balance out better but high speed boats use right hand.