GL: "Cutlass" Bearings

[Bob Austin]

Lignum Vitae  is the wood which was used in Cutless bearings--actually in may
types of bearings.  It was highly prized to make the blocks for sailing ships.
Many of the trees in the Caribbean were destroyed recklessly.  I found an old
growth Lignum Vitae tree (about 24" diameter trunk) on an isolated part of
Culbera Island, it was like a jewel in a place which was a paradise already.
I would have loved to had a piece of that tree--but best left alone and hope
that no-one cuts it down.  This is a protected species in some areas--there
are a few small trees in S. Florida.

Lignum Vitae is the hardest and most dense wood known at a weight of 77 to 82
lbs per cubic foot.  It also rivals P.T.F.E.  for friction even in its dry
state because of wood waxes expressed under pressure.

I think it would be easy to go the route which Gypsy and chain wheel went with
"cutlass" and "cutless" on the Trawler list.  Either works in catelogs...but
may "proper" books on boating call the stern tube bearing a "Cutless bearing"

Regards,

Bob Austin