When Roy McBride, founder of CKD Boats, needed to select bearings for the yacht he was building, he chose the one bearing material he knew would last: Vesconite. The ultra-low friction, self-lubricating polymer is the ideal marine bushing for applications above and below the waterline. After 19 years, there’s no sign of wear.
Every few years, McBride inspects the bearings on Flying Cloud, a Dix 43, as he reapplies bottom paint. “The boat I fitted with Vesconite rudder and propeller shaft bearings was launched in January 2000,” he noted. “No wear has ever been found.”
Because of its dimensional stability, high load strength and reliability, Vesconite was the perfect choice for Flying Cloud. Internally-lubricated, the ultra-low friction polymer has no stick-slip, doesn’t swell and provides a wear life ten times that of bronze. It machines to +/-0.001″, making it ideal for applications with tight tolerances.
CKD Boats specializes in CNC-cut boat kits, from Optimists to offshore cruising and racing vessels. It has over 17 years of experience in boat design, boatbuilding, surveying and valuations, and offers unparalleled service, superior quality products, and hands-on experience and knowledge.
