BOCA BEARINGS

[luckycrank]

I KNOW THERE IS A THREAD PERTAINING TO THIS AND COULDNT FIND IT BUT

I notice that there site has economy bearings at a fraction of the cost

any body ever use them. noticable differance from stock bearings in older curados, chronarchs , the say abec 5 tolerances what does a curado stock bearing rate at ?

[Superduty]

ABEC 3 are stock in Curados. Some guys say you won't be able to tell the difference between 5's and 7's. I set up some reels with both ABEC 5 and ABEC 7 to test this year. Due to injury, I won't be able to report on the differences. The ceramic 7's have a distinct "hum" when cast.

[Bushwacker]

I would agree that the economy bearings are probably along the lines of stock bearings in a lot of reels. I swap out the spool bearings in all of my reels. I use the Orange Seal ABEC 7 on reels that I use lighter lures(1/16-1/4) with and mainly pitch with. For long casting techniques like frogs, spinnerbaits, and rattle traps I use their ABEC5 Ceramic Hybrids. I don't think there is a huge difference between the two when you are fishing them. I really notice a difference when the spools are empty and I free spin the spools. The diffence is very noticable between stock, ABEC5, and ABEC7's. Its seems like the Orange Seals can spin for 2X's as long as stock. In fishing, I feel like the higher end bearings have faster start up a the beginning of pitches or casts. They are definitely louder, but that does lessen as the bearings wear in. The people at Boca are great to deal with if you have any questions.

[luckycrank]

youve got me convinced on trying some abec 5 hybrids , not so much cause the abec 7's are pricier but because they are old reels I want to limp along as I start replacing with new reels if there as good as described Ill try the orage seals in the newer gear

[luckycrank]

just got a batch of bearings, I have to say it made a noticable differance in casting they do hum a bit as described but thats fine with me , also made a differance in how smooth the real is while realing too I thought

[blakjack23]

A little bit of oil on them will quiet them down for ya.

[TonkaBass]

I have them in a decent number of reels now and I have to say they are well worth the $20 cost to upgrade. Same price as one expensive lure that a pike could take anyways superduty, what steps do you take to maintenance the orange seals? I think mine are due for a little TLC...

[Superduty]

Tonka,

For maintenance of orange seals it is going to depend on if you leave the seals on or off the bearing while fishing. I like to leave one seal off so I can just add a drop of oil if needed without the hassle of removing a seal each time. For full blown once a year service, remove the seals and soak the bearings in a degreaser. Blow them dry with compressed air, add a drop of oil and put the seal(s) back on. Do not soak the rubber seals-degreaser can eat them up. If using a metal shielded bearing, go ahead and soak with the metal shields on the bearing.

[TonkaBass]

Ok sounds good. Once a year is good enough for them? How do you remove the orange seals? What kid of degreaser do you use?

[Superduty]

I made a little tool out of a sewing needle and some tape to make a handle. Slide the tip of the needle under the seal and pop it loose. There is a bit of a trick to it but the seals are pretty durable. Very unlikely that you would ruin the seal so don't be afraid of it. You can use carb cleaner, gun scrubber, or zippo type lighter fluid.