swing keel spacer bearing

[snick]

I am repairing a swing keel centerboard on a P14 Paceship. The original had a plastic spacer in the centerboard hole , which the 3/8 inch pivot bolt went through. The plastic spacer went through the swing keel centerboard, acting like a bearing over the pivot bolt. I need a replacement plastic spacer. The original spacer is very worn and appears to be 1 1/2 length, 7/8 od and just over 3/8 to accept the 3/8 pivot bolt .
Looking online, I see some LDPE and HDPE polyethene, which say they dont swell in water so thats a possibility.
Any suggestions on what type of spacer material that would hold up to boating environment? Thanks

I added a picture below. This is what I found when I dropped the swing keel centerboard. The black spacer fits in the centerboard hole. The long 3/8 bolt pivots in the black spacer. Its unclear if that spacer, which appearently was acting as a bearing, was fixed in the centerboard hole or if it was lose in the hole. Over the years the black plastic roller wore and also elongated the hole in the centerboard. The plan is to repair the elongated hole with epoxy and fiberglass cloth and then drill in a new plastic spacer bearing, which the 3/8 bolt will travel through.

 

[LloydB]

A couple pieces of schedule 160 3/8 PVC might work or maybe even just a stack of washers an inch and a half wide on each side.

 

[dLj]

If you have a photo or sketch of the part you are looking to replace it would help to answer your question. As stated, it's hard to see exactly what you've got. It sounds like a lot more than a simple spacer.

dj

 

[snick]

A couple pieces of schedule 160 3/8 PVC might work or maybe even just a stack of washers an inch and a half wide on each side.

Thank You, I just added a picture.

 

[snick]

If you have a photo or sketch of the part you are looking to replace it would help to answer your question. As stated, it's hard to see exactly what you've got. It sounds like a lot more than a simple spacer.

dj

Thank You, I just added a picture.

 

[dLj]

I'd buy a piece of this and make the part.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

dj

 

[rgranger]

LDPE will mush over time. HDPE will bet brittle over time.

I'd use SS washers or a teflon-like plastic (a.k.a. fluoropolymers) if you want it to last the rest of your life.

Chemical Products Fluoropolymers Daikin America

For each product type we have created a wide number of grades, allowing you to select the melt flow index, particle size, melting point, strength, flex life, or other polymer property that meets your application need.

daikin-america.com

 

[snick]

I am repairing a swing keel centerboard on a P14 Paceship. The original had a plastic spacer in the centerboard hole , which the 3/8 inch pivot bolt went through. The plastic spacer went through the swing keel centerboard, acting like a bearing over the pivot bolt. I need a replacement plastic spacer. The original spacer is very worn and appears to be 1 1/2 length, 7/8 od and just over 3/8 to accept the 3/8 pivot bolt .
Looking online, I see some LDPE and HDPE polyethene, which say they dont swell in water so thats a possibility.
Any suggestions on what type of spacer material that would hold up to boating environment? Thanks

I added a picture below. This is what I found when I dropped the swing keel centerboard. The black spacer fits in the centerboard hole. The long 3/8 bolt pivots in the black spacer. Its unclear if that spacer, which appearently was acting as a bearing, was fixed in the centerboard hole or if it was lose in the hole. Over the years the black plastic roller wore and also elongated the hole in the centerboard. The plan is to repair the elongated hole with epoxy and fiberglass cloth and then drill in a new plastic spacer bearing, which the 3/8 bolt will travel through.

Thanks to all for the help and comments! I ended up buying spacers from Mcmaster and the swing keel is back in action. I now am going to apply 4200 sealant to the pivot bolt. There is a rubber washer, stainless washer on both ends of the bolt which seal against the fiberglass of the boat.
I plan to back out the pivot bolt and apply the sealant between pivot bolt head and stainless washer as well as the other end of the pivot bolt nut and washer. Is that enough sealant or should I also apply sealant on both sides of the rubber washer as well as the end threads of the bolt?

 

[rgranger]

If the rubber is thick enough, it should do the trick without sealant. I've also made my own gaskets using goop and making a damn out of masking tape around the washer (see pic)/.

I've also seen people use 4200 to cover the entire bolt head but I don't recommend that. Lack of oxygen can cause SS to undergo crevis oxidation.