I am in process of repowering our Catalina 30 by replacing an Atomic 4 with a Beta 20 having a 2:1 transmission. The prop the A4 turned was a two blade 12x7, and the prop recommended for use with the Beta 20 is a three blade 12x10 that I will likely use.
To eliminate the sound of the whirring prop shaft while under sail with the engine off, we used to lock the prop shaft by putting the A4 reversing gear into forward.Sailing quietly is more important than loosing a little speed. With the Beta 20, will it be OK to put it in gear while sailing with the engine off, and is so, is forward or reverse the recommend position?
You are fine leaving the transmission in reverse to lock the shaft when sailing. This is what I do with mine. You are also safe in neutral but never leave the transmission in fwd when sailing as this will cause damage to the transmission.
