Duramax Marine Cutlass Bearings
Duramax Marine Cutlass Bearings: The Original, the Standard, the Best
When it comes to cutlass bearings, few names carry the weight of Duramax Marine. The company's flagship product line — the Johnson Cutless® Bearing — is not simply one option among many. It is, quite literally, the original. The "Cutless" name itself is a registered trademark of Duramax Marine, and the bearing's foundational design principles have set the benchmark against which every other water-lubricated marine bearing is measured. Explore the full range of Duramax Marine products to see how this expertise extends across marine propulsion systems.
What Sets the Johnson Cutless® Apart
At the heart of every Johnson Cutless Bearing is a proprietary, oil- and chemical-resistant nitrile rubber polymer lining, molded and firmly bonded into either a naval brass or non-metallic shell. The design is precise: bearing diameters are precision-fitted to their designated shaft sizes with the correct clearance to allow efficient water flow. Running the full length of the rubber lining are longitudinal grooves that maximize lubricating water flow through the bearing and help flush away abrasive grit or debris — protecting both the bearing and the propeller shaft.
This water-lubricated approach eliminates the need for oil-based contamination seals, making Johnson Cutless Bearings an environmentally responsible choice — a growing priority in today's regulated marine industry. The result is a bearing that runs cooler, lasts longer, and requires less maintenance than oil-lubricated alternatives.
Navy-Qualified. Industry-Proven.
Duramax Marine holds the distinction of being the only bearing manufacturer to meet all MIL-DTL-17901C Class II military specification requirements. This navy-grade qualification is more than a credential — it reflects the engineering rigor and quality control that go into every unit. Every bearing is individually dimensionally verified using precision gauging, and inspected for rubber blemishes, shell imperfections, and delamination before leaving the factory. All bearings are made in the USA at the company's ISO 9001:2015-certified facility in Hiram, Ohio.
Two Shell Options for Any Application
Duramax Marine's Johnson Cutless Bearings for recreational and light commercial use are offered in two primary configurations:
- Naval Brass Sleeve Bearings — The classic design, with machined and polished external brass shells that provide easy press-fit installation. Equally at home in strut mounts, stern tube mounts, and as rudder-stock or pintle bushings.
- Non-Metallic Sleeve Bearings — Featuring a dense, engineered reinforced thermoset plastic shell that is non-corrosive and inherently resistant to all known chemicals, oils, and greases — ideal for vessels where corrosion is a concern.
Both configurations use the same signature longitudinally grooved nitrile rubber lining and deliver the same reliable, water-lubricated performance. Whether you are maintaining a powerboat, sailboat, or inboard runabout, Duramax Marine's Johnson Cutless Bearings offer a time-tested solution backed by decades of real-world performance data and continuous R&D investment.