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No problem with salt water: igubal rod ends in the rowing rods

The award-winning sailing boat Seascape 24 is a performance-oriented fast small cruiser with which you can also go on a leisurely trip. The steering system is a double oar design, which allows complete control even at high speeds. To ensure that the double oar steering works reliably, the designers use igubal KARM plastic rod ends for the connections. The fact that they are robust, extremely low-friction, clearance-free and completely corrosion-free makes them the perfect component for this application.

What was needed: spherical bearings in the connections of tiller, drive shafts and oar blades
Requirements: three-dimensionally flexible, minimal friction, clearance-free, resistant to salt water/corrosion, maintenance-free, durable
Industry:boats/sports boats
Success for customers: igubal KARM rod ends are the perfect alternative to conventional metallic bearings, which corrode in contact with salt water. igubal spherical bearings help avoid the associated problems, such as seizure with increasing load on the connecting pins and increasing clearance, or discolouring of the white cockpit floor when rust is discharged. With a robust plastic housing and an extremely low-friction spherical ball, the bearings enable a permanent, easy 3D movement, without lubrication, corrosion and maintenance, without any increase in clearance in the system. Another advantage: they are more cost-effective than corrosion-resistant metal spherical bearings.

igubal KARM rod end in sailing boat Seascape 24

igubal KARM rod end

igubal KARM

Rod end with male thread in classic design: very robust and extremely low-friction

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Pillow block bearings and fixed flange bearings, rod ends and more: get the box to learn more about igubal spherical bearings

Problem

When building the Seascape 24, the engineers focussed, among other things, on single-handed offshore racers with easy handling. The steering system has double oars, which allow full control even at high speeds. For the steering to work precisely, a reliable connection between the tiller, drive shafts and oars is required. The connecting parts should each allow 3D movement, with minimal friction, a long service life and zero clearance. Spherical bearings were out of the question for the engineers. The problem here: they corrode when in contact with salt water, seize up, increase the load and wear out the connection pins, which leads to more clearance in the system. Furthermore, rust dripping out might permanently stain the white cockpit floor.

Solution

At igus, the engineers found the technically best and most cost-effective solution: igubal spherical bearings from the KARM series. They consist entirely of high-performance plastics, are corrosion-free and ideal for use in wet environments, with salt water, weak acids and bases. The housing is made of a particularly robust long-fibre-reinforced polymer. The spherical ball made of iglidur W300 is characterised by lowest coefficient of friction and an extremely low stick-slip tendency.The bearing works reliably, with very little clearance and without additional lubrication. This can save you time and effort for maintenance.

Sailboat Seascape 24 rear view

The Seascape 24 is a fast sailing boat that can be safely operated single-handed or with a small crew.

Sailboat Seascape 24 rear view

In the double oar construction, self-adjusting igubal rod ends between the tiller, drive shafts and oars ensure consistently precise steering.

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