If the distance TO the beach is short then plain journal bearings
(journal AND thrust) would be appropriate. Polyurethane or Acetal
co-polymer plain bearings would be suitable also for small road travel
distances. You design them for an 'intereference fit' into the journal
- with an 'assembled' clearance to the shafting of 1- 2/1000's of an
inch clearance per inch of shaft diameter. Availability is from
national bearing 'distributors' such as Bearings Inc., etc.


In article , Roger Long
wrote:

Since the distance is short, this boat would only be used at low speeds.
The big reason for it is that the beach is so flat that there will be 10 -
20 feet of water between the water's edge and the trailer when it is deep
enough for a trailer boat to float on or off. That makes launching and
recovery a real pain in cold Maine water. Also, getting a boat on and off
when there is a small surf running is difficult.