STEPHEN .O. SLATTER (SOS)

STEPHEN .O. SLATTER (SOS)

A British/American inventor, designer and technician extraordinaire who has

dedicated most of his life’s work to inventing, designing and engineering

diverse products. As a young inventor/engineer, SOS spent a greater part of his

early career years as an apprenticeship trained technician with Rolls-

Royce/Bentley (UK), working greatly under the best options to perfect his own

skills which later gave him a boost to push his own career. Aside from that,

he’s also worked within the US Automotive industry, dedicating a number of

his career years to working within the U.S Engine parts Industry for NASCAR

and Dragster products before eventually venturing into the sports fishing world

in the Mid 90’s.

His first company was the SOS Global Products Inc. Which was solely

responsible for the inventing, developing and manufacturing of the first push-

button and lock style of the Telescopic-outrigger, which he renamed the ‘SOS

Tele-outrigger’ (U.S patent 5,921,196- July 1999) which was mainly purchased

by Taco Metals Inc. In 2000. He also machined the components for the Tele-

outrigger in the mid 90’s on a Mazak turning center. It’s been over twenty

years and SOS Tele-outrigger still remains the number 1 top selling Telescopic

outrigger and most used all over the world.

In the late 90’s, SOS was the first to start the trend of the bolt-in top mount

style of mount , that Outriggers mount that are directly bolted into the top of T-

tops and hard-tops. It is the most widely used mount type to this day by the

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’S) and after-market stores. In recent

times, various versions have been made by six different manufacturers, despite

the odds against it at the inception.

Taco’s Grand-Slam Products (US patent 6,668,745 and 7,114,283) and a few

others, credit ‘SOS’ with his designs and inventions, and efforts to diligently

and effortlessly supply the market. Multiple top selling products were designed

by ‘SOS’ for Taco between 2000-2009, though most were not patented, they

still ended up as top selling items. However, to date, twelve patents in the U.S.

still bear his name. The thirteenth patent is for a spear-gun holder.

The advent of the 2009 recession led to a decline in the sports fishing industry

which led to a downsize and forced many manufacturers to pack up their new

products. This event, however, didn’t intimidate SOS as he immediately

undertook work designing new injection molded products for a top U.S.

company, classified U.S. Military products for private company in Florida and

other 3D design work for individuals.

3D Design, CAD/CAM, CNC MACHINING

With more than 19 years experience of 3D CAD designs, roughly about 4,000

components have been designed. SOS remains creative and productive as a

competent CNC Lathe and Mill machinist, alongside adding Computer Aided

Manufacturing (CAM) to the list of skills. It must be noted that it is very rare

for an inventor to have also acquired the skillsets of 3D design, 2D drawing,

CNC machinist, Patent crafting, manufacturing knowhow and many more

valuable skills.

Shown in the image below is SOS working on the Taco GS270 Grand Slam 3D

CAD model in the early 2000’s. The GS350 concept of the underside crank-

handle also was designed/created by SOS and a US Patent granted.

In 2016, SOS was commissioned by Eastern Metals, who own the Tigress

Outriggers & Gear product line, to revamp and redesign their aluminum and

carbon fiber telescopic outriggers and also design a new bolt-in XD Top Mount

and an XD Center-Rigger mount which are improved versions of his original

patent designs. By 2017, the new designs were completed and will be available

this summer. Finally, in October 2017, SOS resigned from Tigress outriggers

and gear as a design consultant to further focus on the development of his new

products, however currently there is a continued discussion with Tigress with

the possible outcome of more new product designs for Tigress Outriggers &

Gear.

TERRA-MAR CADDY COMPANY

Terra-Mar Caddy Company has created an initial selection made to order and

patent-pending designer filet and drink table caddies and other associated

innovative products designed and manufactured by SOS in Florida. These are

currently not available in stores. The complete line of rod holder mounts, filet

tables, boat drinks tables, drinks holders, rod holders and table mounts along

with other accessories, can be viewed on Our Website These

fishing products are currently not available in stores!

In honor of SOS’ 25th year invention anniversary, all the table models include a

‘by SOS’ CNC machined engraving. All the Miami Boat show back-orders are

currently being filled and include the engraving.

So what’s next for ‘SOS’?

Given the success of this new product line, ‘SOS’ and the Terra-Mar Caddy Company are attempting to find a large manufacturer who wants to include these new product designs in their portfolio. In order to facilitate the production gear-up for the new owner, he will offer the engineering assistance of SOS to assist this potential new owner to get the products into the stores and then later manufacture the other innovative ‘Caddy’ Table designs as well as the new Telescoping-Outrigger and Top Mount designs that ‘SOS’ is currently working on for future release.

In addition to the product line and engineering services, he will share his excellent, established manufacturing contacts overseas

and liaise with them as needed.

More ‘SOS’ Sport-Fishing Products?

Absolutely! The plans for other Telescopic-Outrigger and new Top Mount designs ‘by SOS’ to be completed and later manufactured will surpass anything he’s ever done before and go up against his previous creations!

After all is said and done it was ‘SOS’ that started some particular Trends so why not continue

Designing some cool stuff!!

‘SOS’

Terra Mar Caddy Company