Page 1 of 1

Source for Replacement Rudder Bearing

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 7:17 am
by Vento Solare
The original J/109 rudder bearing source for US built hulls supplied by Edson Marine is no longer manufactured. The original bearing was manufactured from aluminum with a lip seal built in. The bearing required a sleeve over the stainless steel rudder stock to provide proper clearance. It requires precision alignment as it is not self aligning. Many boats have exhibited long term degradation of the rudder bearing due to corrosion.

There are two known sources for replacement bearings - Shuster Corporation - New Bedford, MA and Jefa Marine - Denmark which is distributed by PYI Inc. - Lynwood, WA.

Marine Bronze Bearing designed & manufactured by:
Shuster Corporation
55 Samuel Barnet Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02745

Phone: (508) 999-3261

Delrin Bearing part number 06-7T40LSP designed and manufactured by Jefa, distributed by:
PYI Inc.
12532 Beverly Park Road
Lynwood, WA 98087

Phone: (425) 355-3669

The Edson bearing comes with an aluminum sleeve. If that is removed the rudder shaft should be 101.6mm (4 inches). The Jefa bearing would have a sleeve with an I.D. of 101.6mm, O.D. of 108mm. This would match the self aligning bearing that has an ID of 108mm and an OD of 152.16mm. The Jefa bearing is self-aligning but will need a fiberglass tube to be glassed into the boat to extend up to the waterline and then a gaiter is attached to keep water out. Some photographs of a Jefa bearing and gaiter installed on hull 266 are in this post.

A drawing of the Jefa bearing is attached.