There are two issues here. If there are mechanical problems, boat handling in reverse can be substantially worse. The question in my mind is whether the prop is opening and in gear. These are old boats. If you feel a horrible vibration in reverse, that's a problem.
I'd suggest checking the prop for any slop in the blades. You shouldn't be able to squeeze the tips together and make them touch, and they shouldn't have much play. Martec does a great and fairly economical (at least, relative to a new prop!) job reconditioning props. Now they can only do it a limited number of times because each recondition requires drilling and sizing up to a larger pin.
Also, the transmissions can go south, too, which can prevent the prop from opening in reverse.
And if there's a lot of vibration, the cutlass bearing could be worn, and/or the prop strut loose.
Personally, I had all four of these happen. They're all fixed now, and my boat actually operates in reverse. (Fancy that.... ;-) Now I just have to get rid of all that anxiety that came from years of not knowing whether putting the boat in reverse will result in a horrific kathunka-thunka-thunka-thunka and virtually no thrust!
Ryan
Tesara, #337
