Maxximus Off Shore 3/0 Lever Drag

[Fish Magnet]

I think I will remove the bearing covers on my Avet bearings immediatly and then perhaps look into ceramics.
While reeling up a couple a pound a lead and a doggie and a huss the other day, I heard a squeak coming from my Senator 4/0 every 20 seconds or so. This turned out to be the drag slipping a quarter of a revolution, before re-engaging, despite the star being tightened to the last. This reel hasn't had much use, perhaps 7 or 8 trips, TBH I wasnt expecting any drag issues so early on in the reels life. I suppose a bit of dirt or grease of someting may of gotton on the washers, I must investigate ASAP, in case we get slack winds, the next good tides.

[septicsac]

I think I will remove the bearing covers on my Avet bearings immediatly and then perhaps look into ceramics.

Loads in Usa have removed the closed bearings and replaced them with good quality open stainlees ones. As far as I know Avet have replaced the closed bearings on older models with open ones in newer models.Theory being that closed ones are ok if the seals keep the water out but if they let it in then they keep it in
The USA reel guru "Alan Tani" says he cannot see a significant improvement in performance in ceramic bearings to justify the huge increase in cost and recommends just keeping the reel in good order with regular servicing.

This turned out to be the drag slipping a quarter of a revolution, before re-engaging, despite the star being tightened to the last.

All the info you need here Magnet
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=444.0
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=208.0

[Mariek]

I serviced a few reels tonight having read the alantani pages. That boy knows his stuff, I emailed him when u first put the link up Septic and I bought some bits and bobs from him to fix some of the glaring issues in the Penns. I went down the ceramic bearing route and also put uprated drag components in them all. I know I know im a dick and will never need it but sure you never know! I can tell ppl now the brakes in my reels are made by same people who supply the Ferrari F1 team, that should impress the girls!

[septicsac]

Trying to impress the girls by talking about your reels may not be the place to start Ryan Just cant see that reeling them in ....in the words of Atomic......I'll get my coat now

Yeah Mr tani knows his stuff Ryan and is highly regarded . His view about ceramics seems that they make no significant difference unless needed for distance casting,but they certainly wont degrade the performance of your reels. Didnt change any drag washers myself as all mine were in too good of nick to warrant it but will use the carbon fibre washers when they do. Did you purchase any of the fancy handles ?

[Mariek]

Didnt bother with the handles, my thinking behind the ceramics was that I plan to keep the reels for a long time so something that doesnt corrode is a good job.

[septicsac]

See your point Ryan, also depends on value of the reel.........no point putting £20+ bearings X 2-7 into £100 reels
Anyone interested in ceramic bearings may want to have a read of this http://www.tackletour.com/articlebearings201.html

[BigPhil]

i found that when it came to using 2lb of lead plus baits etc in deep water that using at least the 4/0 senator was a better job, 3/0 doesnt seem to stick it just the same.