How fast to shift from forward to reverse?

[IDBoating]

My new 24Ve is my first true inboard boat. It has the PCM EX343 engine, the PCM 1.48 transmission, and the PCM v-drive.

Question: How fast can you shift from forward to reverse?

We only had it on the water one weekend last fall before winterization. During that time we babied the transmission because we don't have any experience with this type of marine drivetrain. Our biggest learning curve on this boat is slow-speed maneuvering. Coming from a jetboat, where we could feather continuously between F/R and spin in our own length, an inboard takes some adjustment.

We dropped a tennis ball in the water last fall and practiced maneuvering around it... extremely frustrating but we recognize that's from lack of experience. The biggest problem is that we didn't know how fast we could flip from F to R with the engine at idle.

Obviously you don't shift before the engine RPM's have slowed down to idle, but when maneuvering around the dock and such at idle speeds, how do you properly handle the transmission? Take it out of gear and wait until the propshaft has stopped turning (based on sound/feel/experience)? Or wait even longer for some reason?

Thanks for any advice!

[bfrank]

At idle its instantly, you can shift it back and forth with no problems. Now if the r's are higher you will have a problem.

[IDBoating]

At idle its instantly, you can shift it back and forth with no problems. Now if the r's are higher you will have a problem.

Are you saying I can shift "instantly" even if the propshaft is turning at idle speed? Seems like that would stress something in the tranny - but that's why I'm asking the question. I don't have to wait in neutral to let the propshaft stop before reversing its direction?

Thanks!

[talltigeguy]

Are you saying I can shift "instantly" even if the propshaft is turning at idle speed? Seems like that would stress something in the tranny - but that's why I'm asking the question. I don't have to wait in neutral to let the propshaft stop before reversing its direction?

Thanks!

I think the prop stops almost instantly when you put it in neutral...instantly might be a bit quick, but I would say you can go back and forth with very little delay...long enough to click the doohickey back up as you pass neutral.

[dom w. forte]

Yes you can shift from forward to reverse without stopping at neutral, it wont hurt the trans, I dont recommend shifting from gear to gear if the rpm is high, which in show skiing with my 04 tige ive done many times, 1000hrs later.
Even if in a panick situation, if you did slam it from gear to gear at higher rpm, the most damage that normally occurs is the damper plate between the imput shaft and motor is what ussually will fail.
With repetition you will learn how to manuver the inboard and will appreciate how nimble they really are.

[IDBoating]

Yes you can shift from forward to reverse without stopping at neutral, it wont hurt the trans

OK, thanks for the confirmation. I don't think it will be necessary at anything above idle, but it will definitely help by not having to "pause" for a moment between Forward and Reverse.

Thanks!

[zad0030]

Practice Practice Practice

[SPBFAN]

You will get the feel. You know if it bangs hard you went to from FWD to R.

[bfrank]

Once you do it you will see it really is not a big deal at idle. You will find when docking you are alternating between the tow to slow down and move over.

[IDBoating]

Once you do it you will see it really is not a big deal at idle. You will find when docking you are alternating between the tow to slow down and move over.

That's how I did it on the jetboat, but the difference there is that the engine and impeller are always turning. Forward vs. reverse is just a ratio controlled by the thrust reverser. You could literally feather the F-R lever continuously from full forward to full reverse, with a "neutral" spot in the middle where the two offset each other.

I miss that ability, but that's why I'm asking here. I had presumed with an inboard you should go slowly and pause at neutral before reversing things. Apparently it's not necessary if the engine is idling, which will help a lot with maneuvering.

Thanks!

[chpthril]

Going from FWD to Reverse at idle is a normal docking maneuver. I think there is enough friction/drag/load between the trans, v-drive and prop in the water that at idle, the prop stops quickly. Couple that with the fact that the trans is hydraulically engaged as compared to an I/O's FWD and Reverse actuation.

[AdaminMN]

I go from forward to reverse when docking all the time. I've found if I crank the wheel all the way to the left, and go from forward to reverse, I can spin the boat in its own length.

So, at idle, I'd say there's no harm done.

[Nobody]

We only tow forward so this in not an issue for us.

[IDBoating]

We only tow forward so this in not an issue for us.

Well, you should try towing in reverse sometime. Talk about a HUGE wake! REALLY wide, too! {grin}