Rudders from Becker Marine Systems

Becker’s product range includes three main rudder concepts— the Becker Flap Rudder, the Becker Schilling Rudder, and the Becker Twist Rudder —each of which is designed for different operating profiles and operational requirements. The product family also includes the Becker Nozzle, a propeller nozzle that improves thrust, maneuverability, and efficiency at low speeds.

Different vessels place different demands on maneuverability, course stability, and energy efficiency. That is why Becker offers three proven rudder concepts with distinct hydrodynamic characteristics. Based on the vessel’s intended use, the profile, rudder area, and other design details are then optimized, often using NACA profiles or custom hybrid profiles developed in close collaboration with the vessel’s designer.

The Becker Flap Rudder is Becker’s well-known flap rudder, featuring a movable flap that amplifies the rudder’s steering angle. Even at moderate rudder angles, a high lateral force is generated, providing excellent maneuverability in harbors, rivers, archipelagos, and other confined waterways. At a rudder angle of 45°, the flap can direct the propeller wash up to 90°, enabling crab steering (lateral movement) and highly precise maneuvers. With options such as Twisted Leading Edge, Closed Linkage, King Support, Rudder Bulb, and auxiliary rudder, the same basic design can be adapted for everything from small workboats and fishing vessels to the world’s largest merchant ships.

The Becker Schilling Rudder is a full-blade rudder with a distinctive fishtail profile and no movable rudder flap. The design provides very high lateral force while offering excellent course stability and good control even at large rudder angles. The rudder can operate at angles of up to 70° to either side, compared to about 35° for a conventional semi-full-blade rudder. The absence of a flap mechanism also results in a robust design with lower maintenance requirements and good resistance to damage when operating in icy conditions.

The Becker Twist Rudder is a full-blade rudder with a twisted profile designed to match the rotational motion of the propeller jet. The design reduces the risk of cavitation and erosion while more efficiently utilizing the energy in the propeller jet. The result is lower resistance, improved efficiency, and the ability to use larger rudder angles during operation without compromising performance. The Becker Twist Rudder is particularly well-suited for container ships, ro-ro vessels, and passenger ships where energy efficiency, low fuel consumption, and minimal cavitation are key design requirements.

The Becker Nozzle is a propeller nozzle based on the proven principle of the Kort nozzle and is included as a complement to Becker’s maneuvering system. The fixed version increases bollard pull at low speeds and is often combined with a Becker Flap Rudder to provide high maneuverability and maximum thrust.

The steerable version can generate lateral thrust on its own and can therefore replace a separate rudder. This solution is particularly suitable for tugboats, offshore vessels, dynamic positioning (DP) vessels, and other workboats where high maneuvering precision and significant lateral thrust are prioritized.

Options for Becker Rudders

Becker offers a number of options that can tailor the rudder’s characteristics to the vessel’s operational profile and requirements. These solutions include Twisted Leading Edge, Closed Linkage, King Support, and Rudder Bulb, which can contribute to improved flow, reduced maintenance, higher operational reliability, and increased hydrodynamic efficiency. Learn more about the various options on the Becker Rudder Options page.