From the Hurth HBW-50 manual (first page):
"CAUTION: DO NOT LEAVE GEAR IN FORWARD WHEN SAILING. GEAR MUST BE IN NEUTRAL FOR FREE WHEELING OR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO LOCK PROPELLER WHEN SAILING."
From the Ericson 32-3 Manual:
"To prevent excess wear on the transmission, shaft and strut bearing, and also to reduce drag for more efficient sailing, be sure to place the transmission in reverse after the engine has been shut down for sailing."
"NOTE: LEAVING THE TRANSMISSION IN THE "FORWARD" POSITION WHILE SAILING AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE WILL "GLAZE" THE TRANSMISSION PLATES AND CAUSE SLIPPAGE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING IN GEAR."
Also, an interesting note elsewhere in the Hurth manual:
"When running the engine to charge batteries in neutral, engage transmission for 1 or 2 minutes every 2 or 3 hours to lubricate all internal parts."