Based on the basic theory of fluidsolid coupling and considering the elastic deformation of rubber liner,a finite element model of water lubricated stern bearing was established.The influences of rubber liner thickness on water film thickness,water film pressure distribution and friction performance were analyzed numerically by MATLAB software,and the test was carried out on the SSB100 stern bearing test machine.The results show that under the same conditions,with the increasing of rubber liner thickness,the elastic deformation of rubber layer is increased,the water film thickness is increased,the water film pressure is decreased.Accordingly,the fluid lubrication is improved,and the friction coefficient is decreased.Under the same thickness of rubber liner,with the increasing of the rotational speed,the friction coefficient is firstly decreased and then tends to be stable.The test results verify the correctness of the simulation analysis results.