On Feb 14, 8:56 am, Milton Waddams wrote:
In discussing the vibration problem with a few associates they pointed
out that cutlass bearings can wear excessively when operated in silty
water or if reverse gear is used often. The silty water obviously
introduces grit onto the bearing surfaces and causes erosion but the
running in reverse has me stymied. They claim that when operating in
reverse the propellor impedes the water flow into the bearing and
causes wear beyond normal. I do run in reverse regularly for extended
intervals just to even out the total "wear" on the drive system. I'm
kicking around the idea of getting a matching opposite hand propellor
to run in alternate seasons just to wear the transmission evenly. I
know the controls would be reversed but I don't see it as a big deal.
Any thoughts?

Milton

Jeff pretty well addressed the running in reverse issue.

As far is wear to the cutlass in reverse I think the issue is fouling
the water passing thru the cutlass. IMO if you are in deep enough
water to keep sand and such out of the water then it not an issue, the
water flow thru a cutlass is sufficent in forward or reverse.

Joe