Bought CD 28. First ? Storage

[Northoceanbeach]

Here it is. I've never driven an inboard before. I think you just push the lever forward to put it into gear and throttle and then put it in the middle for neutral. Etc... It does have this knob that pulls in and out. Is there any reason it could have a clutch? I know these are very basic questions. I've just never had an inboard. It's kindof like putting someone in a stick shift car and saying drive.

[Sea Hunt Video]

The knob engages the clutch/transmission. When it is pulled "OUT", the transmission/clutch is disengaged. The throttle/gear shift lever will move freely between F, R, and N but the transmission/clutch will remain in neutral (disengaged).

When the knob is pushed "IN", it engages your clutch/transmission. When the throttle/gear shift lever is then pushed forward you are in F; when pushed/pulled back you are in R; when vertical you are in N.

At least I think that's how it works. That's the way it works on S/V Bali Ha'i.

[Northoceanbeach]

That is what it does. Since ignorance is not bliss on sailboats but damage. When do I want to use the clutch?

Say I want to take the boat out. Do I need to use it at all? Would I not just push the throttle slowly back to engage reverse and then when I have backed up. Slowly push it to neutral and then engage forward? Is this right? Or do I need to use the clutch between changing gears like a car?

[Sea Hunt Video]

As you know, the lever is both a gear shifter and a throttle.

My practice (probably wrong - I am a tadpole) is to always have the transmission/clutch in Neutral (knob pulled "OUT") whenever the engine is running unless I am at the helm with my hand on the tiller. I then push the knob "IN" and engage the gear shifter/throttle lever. If you have the transmission/clutch engaged and the gear shift lever in Neutral you could accidentally hit the gear shift/throttle and propel your boat forward (or in reverse). Don't ask me how I know this.

You can also use the knob (transmission/clutch engage/disengage) so that when it is pulled "OUT" (Neutral) you can raise your rpms above idle without going anywhere. Sadly, this is how I frequently charge my batteries; start the engine and run it in Neutral (knob pulled out) on the mooring at 2,600 rpms for 25-30 min. On my Morse shifter, with the knob pulled out (N), I cannot move the throttle lever/gear shifter into Forward past 1,500 rpms. It hits the knob. Bad design. So I put her in reverse and run the transmission/clutch in neutral at 2,600 rpms. Seems to work OK.