Morse Cutlass Bearings

Morse Cutlass Bearings: Proven Performance Below the Waterline

When it comes to keeping an inboard drivetrain running smoothly, few components are as quietly critical as the cutlass bearing. Positioned in the strut or stern tube, it supports and guides the rotating propeller shaft while the vessel is underway — and the quality of that bearing has a direct impact on shaft wear, vibration, and overall drivetrain longevity. Morse has built a strong reputation in this space by engineering bearings that meet the real demands of saltwater and freshwater marine environments alike. Browse the full Cutlass Bearings category to find the right fit for your vessel.

Naval Brass Construction Meets Fluted Rubber Engineering

Morse cutlass bearings feature a naval brass outer shell that is super-bonded to a fluted rubber bearing surface, designed to outlast hard surface bearings by more than 10 times. That outer shell isn't just any brass, either — the external brass shells are machined and polished to provide easy fitting, and the standard flanged series outer shell is made of centrifugal cast naval brass. The result is a bearing that presses cleanly into a strut bore and holds its position under load.

All materials meet U.S. Navy specs MIL-B-17901A CLII, a benchmark that speaks to the engineering rigor behind every Morse bearing. Morse Marine Bearings are precision molded and machined for consistently accurate dimensions and concentricity, which matters greatly when you're relying on tight tolerances to protect an expensive propeller shaft.

Water-Lubricated and Maintenance-Free

One of the most practical advantages of Morse cutlass bearings is their lubrication system — or rather, the absence of one. Morse Marine Bearings are rubber lined and water lubricated, requiring no seals and no oil or grease. Lubrication is provided by the water in which the vessel is traveling, making these bearings environmentally friendly.

The high-durability rubber liner is resistant to abrasion caused by particles in the water, is oil and chemical resistant, and the resilience of the rubber liner allows these bearings to dampen noise and vibration. That vibration-dampening quality is especially valuable on inboard vessels where drivetrain harshness can transmit through the hull to passengers and crew. Rubber-lined naval brass sleeve bearings adapt well to strut and stern tube mounts, making them a versatile choice across a wide range of vessel types.

A Wide Range of Named Sizes for Precise Fitment

Morse uses a distinctive fish-themed naming convention across its bearing lineup, making it easy for boaters and technicians to identify and cross-reference the right bearing for a specific shaft diameter. From the Albacore (3/4" shaft) to larger models like the Grouper (1-3/4" shaft x 2-3/8" OD x 7" length), the lineup spans a broad spectrum of shaft sizes in both SAE and metric dimensions. Morse also offers metric cutlass sleeve bearings with the same naval brass outer shell and fluted rubber bearing surface for European and metric-dimensioned vessels. Whether you're fitting a compact runabout strut or a heavy-duty stern tube on a larger cruiser, there's a Morse bearing engineered to the task.

A Legacy Brand Trusted by Marine Professionals

Morse Rubber LLC, based in Keokuk, Iowa, produces sleeve bearings with a naval brass outer shell super-bonded to a fluted rubber bearing surface, engineered to meet the toughest service requirements in marine and industrial applications. That industrial-grade credibility, combined with decades of use across recreational and commercial vessels, makes Morse one of the most recognized names in the cutlass bearing category. Explore the full Morse brand page or shop the complete Cutlass Bearings selection to find the right bearing for your next refit or repair.