Makaira 50W angular contact bearing mod

[ijlal]

Is there a design difference between Makaira 50 and 50W apart from the topless frame of 50? I was planning to get a 50II but if 50W II has better bearings, I would go for 50W II

Thanks 

[alantani]

virtually no difference at all.  the makaira 50 will hold 700 yards of 130 pound braid.  if you need more line capacity that than, go for the wide version!!!!

[ijlal]

My Penn 50 SW had around 850 yd of 65# JB Solid and 350yd of 50# Ande Monster topshot with room for another 100-150yd. I guess it will fit the 50II. If I have to remove 100yd topshot, 1100 yd line is still way more I can wind in a single go (even with no fish on!)

I guess I'll stick with 50II. After all, 'Topless' sounds and looks romantic!

Cheers!

[Sergey]

Hi all. I am reading a thread that is 10 years old. I have a Makaira 16 Sea. The question is - is there any practical sense in replacing the gear bearing or not? Are there cases of failure of the native bearing?

I got a replacement IJK 7900CTYNDULP4 but the price is about $90. I want to ask how rational this is.

Sorry for the language. I use a translator

[alantani]

sergy, welcome.  with an inexpensive standard radial ball bearing, the performance of the reel should be acceptable.  replacing the radial pinion bearing with an angular contact bearing should theoretically increase the drag range, but the added benefit is probably not worth the cost of the bearing. 

there are a couple of issues to consider.  first, the pinion bearing is always the first bearing to rust from salt water.  that means that you might be replacing that horribly expensive angular contact bearing several times during the lifetime of the reel.  second, the increase in drag range might not be that great before the angular contact bearing starts to bind or deform internally.  the bearing will likely crush under the excess loads.  you will have to use a bearing made of the softer 440 stainless steel.  if you use a bearing made of the harder chrome steel, it will rust immediately. 

so, short answer, i would leave it as is.   

[Sergey]

Alan thanks! I fish in the sea 1-2 times a year. The road is 1500 km one way, then back. The largest theoretical load is the large halibut. I am an engineer by training and regularly clean and lubricate all my coils myself. I understand that under my conditions of fishing it does not make practical sense. Moreover, the main catch is cod and large halibut is a rarity.

[steelfish]

Mak 10 now that get's my attentions. Making a tank more durable!

did anyone ever tried this mod on the Mak 10?

[alantani]

i haven't.  it really hadn't seemed necessary.

[steelfish]

i haven't.  it really hadn't seemed necessary.

somehow I was waiting that answer 

[MexicanGulf]

Really interesting discussion, can the Makaira Sea series which is the newest mechanical version be upgraded with this change?