I just put a couple of drops of thin oil on the bearing at each end of the prop shaft(s) when I happen to remember to do so. I use my boats quite a lot and there is no sign of wear on any of the shafts or bearings so far.

Many of you seem to be using marine grease, at least according to the responses. How do you apply it?
I use an oiling tube fixed to the prop shaft casing but to get grease down could be problematical. Presumably you have to remove the prop shaft and inject it, or am I missing something?

Hello everyone and happy New Year.
Thanks to all who replied to my query
Best wishes Tim.

Hi try blue marine greece great stuff obtainable from marine engineers or boat chandlers hope this helps i use it myself regards peter🚤🚤🚤

For what its worth, I use "StaLube" marine grease intended to grease the bearings on boat trailers. Works for me. Len

If you happen to use modelboatbits as a supplier for your prop shafts he can also make a new bearing for you to fit the tube that is already in your boat. Other suppliers may also offer this service ?

Alternatively, you could get a replacement bearing custom made locally if you know anyone that owns a small lathe.

A model engineer would find this a simple job and may well have some phosphor bronze bar stock to turn it from.

Drilling out the old worn bush and pushing in a new replacement is by far the best bet and will save you having to remove and replace the prop shaft - as well as stopping any "oil slick" pollution in your local sailing waters.

I use water pump grease

As with the other comments already made, I use grease lightly on the prop shaft or petroleum jelly.

I use good old-fashioned starters or non-naval petroleum jelly

I use normal grease, but I'm curious to read the various solutions.
Perhaps oil is more problematic, less practical to use.

all Marine wheel bearing grease has a fiber in it for trailers

I had the same problem with one of my boats,I found a supplier on ebay that sold self lubricating propeller sharft bearings. I drilled out the old bearings and glued in the new ones with superglue,since carrying out this repair have not had any move problems

Hi Greg that's what I've done but the problem is because of the slight wear in the bush, a small amount of oil leaks out and I end up leaving an oil slick behind.
Best wishes Tim

When I build my Water-tight ShaftTubes, I also solder a one inch long piece of brass tubing onto the ShaftTube, up next to the motor- end, and drill a 1/8" hole into the ShaftTube as an oiler.
I always tell people to add 10 to 20 drops if 80-90 weight gear-oil, once per year into the tube
Same as with Rudder through-hull bushings, a machine a slight V-chamfer into the top of the bushing, and add 1-2 drops oil there too.

How do you tell whether fibres are in it? What sort of fibres are they?

Marine wheel bearing grease it has fibers in it helps prevent water leakage.

I like white lithium grease
You don’t need too much

If you are seriously worried about toxicity Vaseline is also good and non-toxic

Waterproof/marine grease would probably be the best bet from the likes of Cornwall Model Boats. Don't fill the stuffing/prop shaft tube though as that can cause significant drag which can lead to the motor overheating. Just apply to the bearing itself.

Chris