Moving from forward to reverse on R-21EC

[baz]

Subject: Moving from forward to reverse on R-21EC

I've noted that moving the throttle lever from forward to reverse too quickly results in some unwanted clunking sounds. Reading the engine operations manual I see the correct way to do this is to allow the throttle lever to rest in neutral for a brief moment to allow idle RPM to be reached before continuing the movement to reverse.

Do others find this to be the proper method to avoid the clunking sound, or is there some other preferred method ?

There are times when I want to 'kill' the boat's forward momentum and this necessitates moving the lever into reverse quite quickly at times. On my R-25 I would do this without there being any requirement to 'rest' in neutral.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Moving a boat shift lever from forward to reverse without allowing the RPMs to come to idle is not a recommended procedure on any boat or motor I've seen. My take on that is the boat is being over-driven for the circumstances if you cannot give the gears the opportunity to come to idle before a shift into the opposite gear.

Same with your car or truck.

Driving the commercial boats (single screw, diesel, no thrusters) in tight maneuvering situations, I will frequently bump the transmission in and out of gear (going the same direction), but always give the gear momentum time to settle before shifting into reverse.

The clunking sounds are your transmission telling you it is not happy.

 

[baz]

Righty Oh.... that all makes good sense... thanks. 🙂

 

[MasterCylinder]

Having the opportunity to operate a single screw water taxi which requires landing and departing all day long, I would suggest learning to coast in neutral way before you decide to use reverse as a brake. Hard approach if the wind is blowing you off the dock/ soft drift with no wind . Keep the current in mind as well.

 

[baz]

Having the opportunity to operate a single screw water taxi which requires landing and departing all day long, I would suggest learning to coast in neutral way before you decide to use reverse as a brake. Hard approach if the wind is blowing you off the dock/ soft drift with no wind . Keep the current in mind as well.

I agree. My OP experience with moving into reverse on our new R-21EC was done on Delivery day-1 with Kenny Marrs. So the boat's throttle use was new to me. I was practicing docking and had little time to 'glide' in neutral... but all that will change with more use. Yes, on my R-25 I would 'glide' in neutral as you've described. Thanks. 🙂