Question of the day...

[Jim Robeson]

...does anyone know why the steering for boats are on the Right or starboard side? Thought about this over the weekend and finally looked it up. Not all together sure that I believe the answer but it seems there were a lot of folks answering the same way.

 

[Troy]

Found this as a good answer. http://www.captkujo.com/aa/aa9072010.htm
There are a lot of center consoles out there too.

 

[Julian]

I'd read it was also to do with the "Port side"....the side of the ship you put into port. If you were loading an unloading stuff, you don't want the helm in the way. So ships were built with clear "Port side" rails to facilitate loading and unloading. For pleasure craft....does it really matter...no....

 

[farrelltravis]

I always thought it was weird that the old school jet boats - the go fast ones - were driven on the left side while all other boat (virtually) are driven on the right side. Weird....

 

[Lspeedss]

What about boats in Europe? What side are they on ?

 

[Bruce]

What about boats in Europe? What side are they on ?

The steering wheels of these German boats on Lake Constance are on the right

 

[Lawson2479]

The steering wheels of these German boats on Lake Constance are on the right

But they have to drive on the left side of the lake.

 

[itsdgm]

I'll throw a guess out there. Possibly adding the driver on the stbd side to counteract the rotational force of the engine/driveshaft?

 

[Jim Robeson]

Bing...Bing...Bing!!! Give that man (@itsdgm ) a cigar!! That was the most common answer that I found. Over the years boat manufacturers have changed the hull design so that isn't necessary anymore. Now, the other answers above are also what I had read. All make sense but I never knew why they were on the starboard side.

 

[itsdgm]

Bing...Bing...Bing!!! Give that man (@itsdgm ) a cigar!! That was the most common answer that I found. Over the years boat manufacturers have changed the hull design so that isn't necessary anymore. Now, the other answers above are also what I had read. All make sense but I never knew why they were on the starboard side.

Whaaaat? I haven't been able to guess that well on tests since high school!!!

 

[KXCam22]

Maybe they are all british. Beside, why are bike brakes and motorcycle brakes reversed? Cam.

 

[Britboater]

Because it's the right side..........

Now change all your vehicles and roads because you drive on the wrong side!! (I've just gone into hiding until the flack dies down )

 

[Lspeedss]

Haha..them Brits...

 

[Jim Robeson]

Bloody good show @Britboater !!