should i keep the boat in neutral when trailering or put it in gear

[littlerayray]

when trailering my boat, some people say put the boat in gear, to stop the gears from wearing out. others say to put it in neutral cuz its harder on the gears in drive position.
whats your thoughts

 

[Bondo]

Re: should i keep the boat in neutral when trailering or put it in gear

Ayuh,.... That's pretty much a Non-issue...

I usually trailer with the drive in neutral, 'n have never had a issue...

 

[BrianNJ]

Re: should i keep the boat in neutral when trailering or put it in gear

Is this about the prop spinning in the wind stream? If so,

+1 vote for non issue.

There is no load on the prop in the wind, it will not wear gears. Load is what creates heat and wear. If anything, I would prefer the prop to just turn if anything bumps it.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: should i keep the boat in neutral when trailering or put it in gear

Not sure sure about all drives (not familiar with cone clutches) but I know Merc outboards and Alpha drive's prop and shaft have no gear connection at all when in neutral. Only the prop and shaft turn. When the engine is running is a different story, as ALL gears are in motion.

The only "issue" whatsoever with one of these drives, is that the clutch dog (the gear that engages the running gears to turn the prop) is spring loaded, toward the forward gear. Ergo, there IS one slight advantage to leaving an Alpha in forward gear, and that would be less static stress on the spring.

Still pretty much a non-issue, as doing that may make the spring last 200 years instead of only 175.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: should i keep the boat in neutral when trailering or put it in gear

thats what i thought but i got into a debate with a buddy of mine and i figured i would get some feedback