For years the official Yanmar recommendation was to put the gear in reverse or neutral but never forward. Only recently (2008) did they change their policy. These earlier engines had a Hurth transmission. Once Yanmar changed transmissions to Kanzaki and other non-Hurth gear boxes, they now recommend neutral only. So the current statement is applicable to older and newer engines, even though the older ones can still be placed in reverse to lock the shaft while sailing.
I have read that many Kanzaki's do not like to come out of reverse after being locked. Yanmar used to advise just starting the engine in reverse then shifting to neutral. While Yanmar used to say reverse or freewheeling, now due to the reverse locking and damage to the Kanzaki's cones they now make a statement which is safe for all(and great for the folding prop manufactures). - Paul E. s/v Johanna Rose Carrabelle, FL
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