Full reverse from full ahead!

[Feeg]

I read that one problem with chartering out your boat is that the inexperienced charterer often panics into slamming into reverse before the prop stops. Surely this is a simple thing to prevent -same as putting a governor on the accelerator?

[rebel heart]

There are a host of boat abuse issues that can happen to your boat when it's in the charter fleet; sort of the nature of the beast. I'm not an engine guy but the torque on most diesels seems pretty wimpy. I know it's not a good idea to slam the gears back and forth but it happens all the time and I don't see a ton of people having issues.

Just my $0.02.

[40 South]

With modern hydraulic 'boxes, not a problem. The clutches in the 'box will absorb the reverse direct of rotation.

Mechanical boxes are another matter altogether! The prop & shaft must be slowed down or there will be tears and a 'box full of bits!

Having said that, I would not recommend full ahead to full reverse on a regular basis it will just wear all the 'box internals rapidly.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Also I find giving a pause between forward and reverse means less likelihood of prop cavitation (which of course means that reverse might actually stop forward motion!).

Although I suspect that if starting from Full Ahead then less likelihood of that! (albeit have never tried).

[jackdale]

This is a bigger issue with separate throttle and shifter controls. Most modern boats have a single lever, so the rev's are dropped when shifting. Still a short pause in neutral does seem beneficial.

[four winds]

The cone clutches in my Kanzaki v-drive allow emergency reversal at full throttle without damage. At least that's what the book says. I'll wait till that feature is needed before trying it.

[James S]

Originally Posted by 40 South

With modern hydraulic 'boxes, not a problem. The clutches in the 'box will absorb the reverse direct of rotation.

Mechanical boxes are another matter altogether! The prop & shaft must be slowed down or there will be tears and a 'box full of bits!

Having said that, I would not recommend full ahead to full reverse on a regular basis it will just wear all the 'box internals rapidly.

On my Velvetdrive (hydraulic) it is a BIG problem...there is a damper plate that bolts to the flywheel...its center is splined to receive the trans shaft, when shifting from forward to reverse with out suitable time for revs to slow the FM splines sheared.

[David M]

Some systems that are electronically controlled allow for this with no damage. I have a TwinDisc controller that allows for it.

I have not had a need for it nor tried it. It's a scarry thought to try it on a 20 knot boat.

[Jim Cate]

FWIW, the manual for my ZF10 tranny SAYS that this practice is ok... but one would be a fool to do it routinely.

Cheers,

Jim

[perchance]

Inertia is the reason . Shock loads are not good for any drive system.

[bobconnie]

The tranny may take a Power Shift ! BUT Ive seen to many broken prop shafts from this bad habit ! And a couple of props snapped off also! I guess if ya mess up and need to do it to keep from doing major damage to your or others boats then maybe ya can do it ! But remember damage can happen ! just my 2 cents

[sy_gilana]

IF ya never use full ahead, you'll never need full astern. Theres a saying here, "when boating, sh12 happens, all you can do is make it happen slowly"

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by sy_gilana

IF ya never use full ahead, you'll never need full astern. Theres a saying here, "when boating, sh12 happens, all you can do is make it happen slowly"

Teaching ASA classes we say "only go as fast as you can afford the repair bills"

[P365Sailor]

For those of you who have V-Drives...the hydraulic transmission might take a slam from forward to reverse...but your v-drive (tough as it may be) is something else.

[rtbates]

That's only one of a million issues I'd be concerned with having others charter my boat..Flooding the head and sinking the boat would be MY number 1 issue...