Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

oarlock bushings

I have a 17x52 Tatman McKenzie boat and one of the oarlock bushings (white nylon or plastic?) is getting worn down pretty bad. Does anyone know where to get replacements for these? Also, are they glued in or just set in? Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Permalink Reply by Dave P on July 3, 2013 at 5:27pm

You never cease to amaze me Brad!

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Permalink Reply by Richard Korte on June 22, 2013 at 3:41pm

You might try bronze bearing bushings at a good local hardware store. Most are oil impregnated and simply never wear out. I've used them a couple of times and they are perfect. Drill the proper size hole, rough up the outside of the bushing with sandpaper, wipe with acetone and epoxy them in. Take the oarlock to the store to find the right size. I've often used 2 per oarlock, one on top, the other underneath.

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Permalink Reply by Sandy Pittendrigh on May 10, 2014 at 1:06pm

I use 3/4" white PVC water pipe. Has an inside diameter of a tad less than 5/8" inch. So cut a bushing to length and then bore it out to exactly 5/8" inch with a 5/8" inch twist drill. The drill bit costs about $30 bucks. So perhaps that's a problem. I've been using mine for several decades now.

Sand the outside of the PVC pipe to rough it up so it sticks to glue. Bore a 7/8" inch hole into what ever you're setting the bushing in. For the 7/8" inch hole you can use a cheap spade bit. Although I do use another twist drill (another $30 bucks or so). Then glue the white PVC bushing into the block. It's quiet and it lasts forever. If you do wear it out changing it is no big deal. Bore it out and replace it. I've never had to do that yet. I had a 15' foot HD with PVC oarlock bushings for 20 years, before I got rid of it. And they worked just fine.

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Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on May 10, 2014 at 3:19pm

hello Tom,

I have quite a bunch of the white UHMW oarlock bushings. We usually sell a set of three for $9.00.

Although the shop is closed now it is possible to fax your information to Debbie (my wife) at Eagle Rock Lodge at 541-822-3625. She will be able to get you details and ship them to you. Or you can email me what you want to do at randy.dersham@gmail.com. We can get connected that way.

As you can see there are other options.

For instillation they are milled so they press in with a C-clamp. Then once the sleeve is installed, you usually ream out the hole with a 5/8 drill bit to reshape the hole to round. This is because pressing in the sleeve usually will cause some contraction. This insures a nice fit.