Deflector Marine Rudder Celebrates 20 Years Service to NW Fishing Fleets

Deflector Marine Rudder LLC  (DMR) founder Lowell Stambaugh began designing and building custom high-lift flap rudders for fishing vessel operators in 1999. Now with over 300 rudders in service in boats that range from 18’ seine skiffs to 210’ catcher-processors, DMR is recognized as the leading independent builder of lap rudders in the USA. 2018 has seen a number of vessels from 58’ to 148’ installing Deflector  rudders; these owners and operators join a fleet of satisfied customers who have discovered the remarkable ability of the DMR rudder to improve steering response and maneuverability, as well as increase speed and fuel efficiency. For 20 years, these flap rudders built in SW Washington across the Columbia River across from Astoria, OR, have demonstrated their ability to generate maximum turning force with a combination of design features that more than double the steering force.

Bering Sea Trawlers Upgrade to DMR

The Bering Sea fishery is one of the most demanding in the world with adverse weather and large trawl systems demanding the best possible steering. Over a dozen of the Bering Sea vessels owned by companies like Ocean Peace, US Seafoods and Global Seas are now benefiting from Deflector’s superior technology that out-maneuvers all other designs, increases productivity, and quickly pays for itself, says Stambaugh. The largest fishing vessel to order a new Deflector rudder this year is the 148' x 32’ FV Northern Defender  primarily fishing pollock in the Bering Sea.

The owner is Global Seas LLC, one of the west coast’s premier vessel operators and ship management companies that operates  a fleet of four modern trawlers 148’-174' long.  Global Seas first fitted Deflector rudders to the 174’ FV Bering Defender in 2015 and found the steering was so superior because of the flap rudder’s sensitive, quick action, making fishing operations more efficient. They then specified a pair of Deflector for their new flagship, the FV Defender, which was completely re-build at Patti Shipyard in Florida in 2016. 

The Northern Defender was built in 1979 at Dakota Creek (launched as the FV Morning Star) equipped with a triple rudder system that was clearly under-performing, compared to the company’s Deflector-equipped boats,  according to Captain Jay Cox of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Here’s his opinion of his new rudder:

“Dear Mr. Stambaugh: I'm writing to tell you what an improvement your rudder made to the Northern Defender. Years ago, the original "barn door" rudder was replaced with a triple-vane rudder system, supposedly an improvement. Recently, we replaced this with your articulating rudder,  and frankly, we now have a different boat! Whereas before, I had to basically put the rudder hard over and wait (or hope) to turn when towing, we now have to be careful not to turn too fast on the gear. We can literally simply turn any amount we want at any time, even in heavy currents and with a lot of wire out. Around the docks and at slow speed, we're seeing a large improvement in performance as well. Before, we had to intermittently ‘goose’ the pitch in order to steer and now the boat tracks nicely. Turning around in tight quarters is a breeze: the boat simply spins in place. Frankly, with this tough 2018 summer pollock season, our ability to fish far more effectively has paid off well in fishing results.”

Stan Frech, global Seas Port Engineer since 2002, was equally enthusiastic”

“This rudder on Northern Defender is the best ever we installed. The vessel handling totally changed for the best steering ever. Crew is so happy . They do not have to call tug boat to dock at Alyeska for unloading.”

Kind Regards

Stan Frech

for more information, email designer@deflectormarinerudder.com or call  360-777-8289