I just bought a 1982 Chris Craft Catalina 281. It was re-powered with 350's in 1996 and had the Velvet Transmissions re-done. The sea trial went fine, next 2 weeks went fine, then out of no-where the starboard transmission lost neutral. The neutral safety switch will allow it to start in forward/reverse, but neutral is gone?
Anyone familiar with this problem?
Thanks, jim

BAM will be a good resource for your problems.

I've owned a handfull of Velvet Drives and the only issue I ever had was plugged up trans coolers causing bad behavior (but I never lost a neutral).

When you say that you lost neutral does it sit there and turn the drive shaft at a lower speed than when it's in forward? If so you should be able to stop the shaft from turning with your foot. IF that is the case your clutch pack is going bad and it should be a easy repair I did it once years ago. I used to own a 1968 Viking 37' wooden cruiser (holding my head down in shame)

Thanks for the reference.
Yes, the shaft rotates at low speeds, sometimes forward, sometimes reverse. As the rpm's increase, it takes hold. I'll try stopping the shaft with my foot.
How involved is the clutch pack repair?
Thanks for the advice.

Let me re-phrase I pulled the tranny my friend at the Marina fixed it and I had it back in the boat in the same day! It just did not seem like a big deal.

If the prop is just turning very slowly in neutral, and not moving the boat, dont worry about it. A warped plate can drag a little. I've seen velvet drives do that for a decade or more and still worked fine.
Gary

Gary,
She is spinning enough to move the boat...
Docking is a little difficult.
Thanks, jim

Jim,
Then DO NOT stick your foot in there, you'll be limping if you do.
Warpeds plates are usually due to high rpm shifting, jamming directly from reverse to forward, overheating ( low fluid, of clogged tranny cooler).
Gary

Ya what he said Mine would turn very slow and I could stop it with a little pressure.

I would try this forum they have a lot of old salts that may help you out on the low performance side

Boatersed

Thanks again Gary, I want to keep all my limbs in tack.
I appreciate your input. jim