jammed gear shift

[lateron]

Hi . Just returned from boisterous trip [F7] and had a few moments! when trying to get the gear shift back into neutral from being in reverse to lock the prop whilst sailiing.
It took quite a bit of persuasion before the stick would allow the red button to pop out[ sorry I mean push in] so I could start the engine.
Anybody else had this problem. It is the recommended thing to do from what I've read to put the gear into reverse on a Yanmar to lock the prop whilst sailing. Was it that we were really going quickly under sail for 6 hours or so and the torque on the prop had caused things to lock up. Any comments welcome.
Cheers Ron

[nornaj]

Ron
Easiest thing to do is start the engine with the gear in reverse.
NornaJ

[Amun Ra]

I wondered about this, but have taken to starting the engine with the prop in reverse. Seems to work fine.
Julian

[dublin]

I was told by dealers when taking delivery of so39 with Yanmar 3jh4e (can't remember gearbox make and model) that the gearbox could not be moved from reverse to neutral if the boat is moving forward through the water, the engine mystery be started first or the trottle cable will break from the pressure. It is not a problem. Just start engine and immediately put in neutral

[lateron]

Thanks guys. However I also read somewhere, I think in my Yanmar manual, not to start the engine in gear. But obviously faced with no choice I would have done so.
It is the first time it's been really difficult. Next time I'll try slowing down or go head to wind if we are really shifting and see if that makes it easier. Or just start in gear.
Thanks Ron

[gre2]

We have a SO 37 and had same difficulty with moving shift lever from reverse to neutral while sailing and before starting the engine. By forcing it, I broke the shift cable and expensive to repair. Leave it in reverse and start the engine. We went to a feathering prop and that solved our problem.