Bearings have been wearing out prop shafts since boats have had engines. During World War II, a need for a new type of bearing arose due to the unavailability of good prop shaft materials. Thus, the idea of a bearing that rotated with the prop shaft was born.

Introduced by the E.J. Willis Company, the new bearing was used on all PT boats throughout the war (due to the combination of high speed rotation and brutal conditions). After the war, the rotary shaft bearing continued to be used by the U.S. government for many marine applications. Although Willis ably produced a product that exceeded high military standards, Willis failed to actively market these bearings to the civilian sect. Fortunately, Palmer Products of Akron, Ohio, bought the assets of the Willis Bearing and is now poised to fill the rising demand for the renamed ShaftSaver Bearings.

Today, the rotary shaft style bearings have more than 50 years of proven performance on all types of vessels and are directly available to the public.

I am proud to now introduce you to the SHAFT SAVER™ rotary bearing. You'll find that our "revolutionary" bearing exceeds the needs of the commercial marine industry and recreational boaters alike.

Len Palmer, Jr., President


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