Can we talk about shafts and bearings?
For most of my boats I am using a ΒΌ" 303 stainless shaft running in a stainless tube. I take the thrust on ball race on the top bearing and use a plain bronze or Oilite bearing at the bottom. I find that I get a lot of ware on the stainless shaft as 303 stainless is quite soft. The other day I had one bronze bearing seize up while revving up on the jetty. I was thinking to use a silver steel shaft but it is difficult to cut the 5mm thread needed for the prop on silver steel plus it may rust. I am interested to know what others are using that is reliable and of low friction, maybe a bearing made of PEEK for the lower bearing.
-Tes
