Sailing with only one rudder

[raycarlson]

OK, we agree then, there is no danger of any motor starting when transmission is in reverse, unless there has been engineering specifically done to it with much mechanical modification for it to be able to run in reverse. I thought it sounded like you actually knew of a standard production sailboat diesel that would do this, which there is not, everyone should check with their specific manufacturer as to what position the trans should be in when not under power, what would burn up a transmission on one model will not on another, they all have different requirements.

[mastreb]

Not just engineering, the motor would actually have to be configured/set to run backwards in order to start in reverse even if it was capable of doing so.

The electronically reversible motors Brian is speaking of wouldn't be able to be inertially started period, unless they were specifically engineered to do so.

[raycarlson]

I agree, I was just questioning his original statement, which what I was hearing was he was telling people that there was an actual danger of their motor starting if they left the transmission in reverse, which we all know would be impossible.

[mastreb]

While sailing today I went below and could hear the drive train spinning. Yelled up to the helmsman to put the motor in gear, and the spinning noise stopped. Had him put it back in neutral, and no spinning or noise.

So yeah, the folding prop thing works like it's supposed to. Picked up maybe 1/3rd of a knot, hard to tell.

Matt

[Russ]

While sailing today I went below and could hear the drive train spinning. Yelled up to the helmsman to put the motor in gear, and the spinning noise stopped. Had him put it back in neutral, and no spinning or noise.

So yeah, the folding prop thing works like it's supposed to. Picked up maybe 1/3rd of a knot, hard to tell.

Matt

Very cool

So the centrifical force opens the blades even if not powered.
Also shows how much drag stuff below causes.

[seahouse]

raycarlson wrote:

“...he was telling people that there was an actual danger of their motor starting if they left the transmission in reverse...”

Ray it appears that you have misread what I wrote, so I have reposted below verbatim what I said, since you are very concerned with what I am “telling people”, it will give you the opportunity to re-read it more closely and see what was actually said. Clearly, I said no such thing. I, in fact, initially brought the topic up by suggesting just the opposite to what you say I was...

Seahouse wrote;

“Hey Matt- as a side note, you might find that on your Beneteau that you want to put it into reverse gear while sailing... Obviously the design of the prop is a variable in this...” ...

...“Probably other reasons, but when in reverse, there is no possibility of the engine starting inadvertently. Because the crankshaft on the motor is being pushed to run counter to its proper direction, which it can 't do. They do exist, but very few motors themselves are capable of running in reverse, so gearing commonly does that instead.”

Also...

raycarlson wrote:

“I thought it sounded like you actually knew of a standard production sailboat diesel that would do this, which there is not...”

While I do not necessarily disagree with this statement, (and since you brought it up) I will point out that, in order for it to be true, it requires that you have knowledge of every production marine motor that ever existed, which I can not, and would not, claim to have. While you might purport to have this special knowledge, I would respectfully suggest that you have over-estimated your expertise.

While I confess that I do have a personal affinity to esoteric facts, I do attempt to stay away from presenting unfoundable outlandish claims, such as your statement is, as fact. I would humbly submit (if you are as genuinely interested in the truth as you say you are) that you do the same.

- B.