SOS Rudder

COULD THIS BE THE INTERIOR OF YOUR RUDDER?

The SOS Rudder was designed to meet several conflicting demands:
- It had to be small enough to store easily
- It had to be able to be installed by one person, at sea
- It had to be large enough to steer a 50-60 ft LOA boat
- And, it had to be reasonably priced.
We met these parameters by using existing components already proven for strength in our other products - the mounting brackets and tubes from the Monitor windvane, the rudder from the Monitor MRUD emergency steering system, and the castings from our Auto-helm windvane - all made of 316L stainless steel. We are the first company to offer a commercially available emergency steering system at a reasonable price.

When you receive an SOS Rudder from Scanmar International, you do not get a mass-produced, "figure-out-how-it-fits-on-my-boat" product. Each SOS Rudder is custom-designed to fit a particular boat, using dimensions supplied by the owner. If we have a mounting drawing for your boat, you can be assured that the SOS Rudder will fit. If we do not, we will send you a custom worksheet showing exactly which dimensions we need to design a mount. We will work closely with you to be sure the SOS Rudder will fit.

There are two rudder sizes available - we will suggest the correct one for your boat.

The tiller will be designed to fit your particular needs - it can run straight forward, in the traditional manner, or it can cant off to port or starboard to clear a radar mast or backstay, then bend back to parallel boat centerline. Eyebolts are fitted at the forward end to allow setting up steering tackle.

For some transom configurations a crossbar several feet long can be fitted, with tackle eyebolts at each end, instead of a tiller. Operating lines can be run inboard from this yoke-style arrangement, and set up to a jury-rigged tiller or even to the wheel spokes.

Initial mounting, and fitting at sea

The forward ends of the mounting tubes are bent in so they are parallel to boat centerline. The installer sets up the mounting brackets on shim blocks angled so the mounting brackets sit parallel to the boat centerline, and their crossbolts align so they can act as a 'hinge' during fitting. To set it up at sea, the SOS Rudder is held up by a tackle and the upper mounting tubes are fitted to their brackets with their crossbolts. As the tackle is slowly eased, the SOS Rudder pivots down on the crossbolts and the lower mounting tubes can be easily aligned with their brackets, and their two crossbolts fitted. All four bolts are then tightened. See the next section, Installation, for sequential photos.

Plan ahead! The SOS Rudder takes some time to set up on your transom. Afterwards, the entire unit breaks down into seven components which store in their supplied stowage bag. Before setting off on your cruise or race, be sure you and your crew have practiced setting up your SOS Rudder. It's far easier to become acquainted with it in port, rather than facing the first installation at night, in heavy weather......

We strongly recommend the use of safety lines when the SOS Rudder is mounted at sea. Additionally, of the best and most secure pieces of safety equipment is a bosun's chair slung from the mast or radar arch. Preventers rigged to the quarters of the stern give a stable seat. Remember, though, that it is NOT a replacement for a safety line - it's an addition.

Please note:
The SOS Rudder is an emergency steering system designed to get you to the nearest port in case of rudder failure. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE TO RACE, OR TO CARRY A HEAVY PRESS OF SAIL.

This Elite 37, "Compromise", was the "Poster Boat" for the Pacific Cup at 'Strictly Sail', the April 2007 Oakland Boat Show.

Beneteau First 40.7

Beneteau 42

Ericson 38

Gulfstar 43

Hughes-Perry 63 trimaran

Tayana 37 - the SOS Rudder is set up on the port side to clear the Saye's Rig installation

Tayana 37 with Saye's Rig

We have SOS Rudder installation drawings already available for the following boats:
Alden 44
Baltic DP42
Bavaria 37
Beneteau 393
Beneteau 42
Beneteau 423
Beneteau 50
Beneteau 57
Beneteau First 36S7
Beneteau First 40.7
Beneteau First 42s7
Beneteau First 47.7
Beneteau Idylle 15.50
Beneteau Oceanis 36 CC
Beneteau Oceanis 461
Beneteau Oceanis 473
C&C 39
C&C 110
C&C 121
Catalina 36 Mk I, 1987
Catalina 36 Mk I, 1990
Catalina 36 Mk II
Catalina 38
Catalina 42
Catalina 42 Mk II
Catalina 470
Centurion 42
Custom 53 "Quest"
Custom 77 "Jelik"
Domato 50
Dufour 44
Elite 37
Elliot Custom 14m
Ericson 38
Fairweather 39
Farr 38
Finngulf 331
Gib'Sea 43
Golden Surprise 31
Gulfstar 43
Hobie 33
Hughes-Perry 63 trimaran
Hunter 37.5
Hunter 456
Hunter 460
Irwin 54
J 42
J 46
J 65
J 105
J 120
J 122
J 130
J 145
J 160
Jeanneau 54
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS
Jeanneau SUn Odyssey 45
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45.2
Maple Leaf 50
Olson 25
Olson 911
Passport 47 (custom stern)
Pearson 361
Peterson 44
Peterson 65
Richael/Pugh 68
Roberts 64
Saber 452
Santa Cruz 52
Serendipity 43
Swan 44
Swan 59 (extended transom)
Sydney 38
Sydney 40 OD
Tartan 1100
Taswell 43
Tayana 37
Tayana 47
Tayana 52
Turner 56
Wauquiez 47
Westsail 39
Wylie 39
Wylie 39 (extended transom)
Wylie 46
X-482
Yankee 38