4108 & Velvet Drive 1:1 ?

[S/V Elusive]

My buddy on another dock has the Perkins 4108 and a velvet drive 1:1 with a fixed two blade prop. He has heard conflicting stories as to where he should leave his transmission when he turns off the engine and is sailing (or stopped too I suppose).

Would like to know the reasoning behind the answer too.

Forward, Neutral, or Reverse? Should he have a break on the shaft to stop the turning?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Alan Wheeler]

Velvet drive is one box that doesn't matter if it is turning or not. so seeing as fitting a shaft break is not so simple, allowing the box to spin freely is fine. It doesn't matter what gear you are in as it is a Hydraulic box. If the front end of the box is nto turning, you have no oil pressure and thus no cluthes engaged. So only the aft gear is spinning. This is bathed in oil so it is happy to spin freely.
Boxes that don't like being spun are usually because certain parts are not bathed in oil and wear is a result.

[GordMay]

Wheels is absolutely right.
The Velvet Drive Manual indicates (“Freewheeling” page 16) that
”... Under sail with the propeller turning, or at trolling speeds with one of two engines shut down, the design of the Velvet Drive gear maintains adequate cooling and lubrication ...”
See the Manual at:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6mxo8/d...nst_Manual.pdf

[S/V Elusive]

Thanks guys!

[SkiprJohn]

Wow Wheels!! Right on the money with your answer and I am impressed.
Cheers!

JohnL

[my1972ih]

vice grips make a quick and easy shaft brake.

[SkiprJohn]

I prefer an old piece of line wrapped around the shaft (not under the boat). Vice grips might scar the shaft.
Kind Regards,
JohnL