I was traveling on 94 in Michigan today and was following a bass boat- The engine was down and the air flow past the prop was causing it to spin. My question is - is that really good for the gears??? I know they are in oil (or at least should be) but to have this constant spinning sure seems like not a good thing.

I know on our boat there is no way that I could trailer the boat and have the outdrive down-- so air velocity going by the prop is a non-issue.

Any thoughts??

3pointstar

maybe after 100 years of that you might see some wear on the gears.

B/W says you can free wheel their transmissions with no damage.

no load and spinning that slow isn't anything compared to real use.

maybe the guy had his boat motor running in gear to improve fuel mileage on the truck and reduce drag

I don't see how it could hurt. Not in gear so just spinning bearing in oil.

It's one of those new Nader Electric outboards. That's how they charge the batteries on the way to the ramp.

When we have our heavy equipment shipped, we always put a hood over the exhaust stack on the ones with miter cut exhaust stacks....or else depending on how they're on the truck/train, air is forced down the stack, spinning the turbo while it's dry.....cashing the turbo(s).

A prop spinning at 60 rpm out of gear....that won't be a problem.

I would be more worried about rock chips on my prop then the gears in the lower unit