mercman Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 Why is the console, or control area of a boat on the RH or starboards side? Car steering controls are on the LH side, so you would figure that is the way they would configure a boat as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 This comes up every now and again. Always entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted June 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 So i should delete it now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shane Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 If it was on the left hand side? It just wouldn't be right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 it is because of the rotation of the prop and the balance of the boat with one person in it with the older steering systems it made it tough to steer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted June 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 Thanks Terry, that makes perfect sense. When i saw your name in the post, i said to myself, oh man.....here it comes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pikeguy Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 The origin of term comes from old boating practices. Before boats had rudders on their centerline, boats were steered by use of a specialized oar. This oar was held by a sailor located towards the stern (back) of the boat. However, like most of the rest of society, there were many more right-handed sailors than left-handed sailors. This meant that the right-handed sailors holding the steering oar (which had been broadened to provide better control) used to stand on the right side of the boat. The word starboard is a corruption of steering board, which in turn came from the old Norse language word st�ri, in the language of the vikings. Similarly, the term for the left side of the boat, port, is derived from the practice of sailors mooring on the left side (i.e., the Portboard side) as to prevent the steering boards from being crushed. Because the words portboard and starboard sounded too similar to be distingued under windy sailing conditions, portboard was shortened to port. The starboad side of most naval vessels the world over is designated the 'senior' side. The officers' gangway or sea ladder is shipped on this side and this side of the quarterdeck is reserved for the captain. The flag or pennant of the ship's captain or senior officer in command is generally hoist on the starboard yard. MODERN EXPLANATION According to the column "The Straight Dope," the steering wheel is on the right side of power boats for mechanical reasons. Boat propellers spin clockwise and the torque on the propeller caused the right side of older model boat hulls to rise out of the water. Boat designers placed the steering wheel on the right so that the weight of the boat's operator would keep the boat even in the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 (edited) what are you saying I don't always give a smart answer Edited June 28, 2011 by Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnimon Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 So i should delete it now? NO! I did see a practicle answer to this a while back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 If it was on the left hand side? It just wouldn't be right. aren't tillers on the left side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 Terry is a smart guy. You just have to fish with him to find out. Oh ,Im just a friend ,not his owner. Im sure she (the owner),would have something different to say to this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted June 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 what are you saying I don't always give a smart answer Nothing at all I just thought i had left myself out in the open for a moment. I enjoy your answers Terry.Straight to the point...Bada bing Bada boom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 Try reaching across the boat while you are sitting in the drivers seat and grabbing the dock while trying to control the boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeter Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 So does this mean that boats with a center console, have a prop that doesnt spin ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dozer Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Mercman, my question to you is, what did you tell her after she asked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Mercman, my question to you is, what did you tell her after she asked? Told her i had no clue, and that you guys would be able to tell me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handlebarz Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Told her i had no clue, and that you guys would be able to tell me. Paul was she as happy as my wife is when I tell her I have to check with OFC before I make some decisions that never goes well if its something she wants at the time and i want to wait and ask kinda like the Lap Top last week LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Paul was she as happy as my wife is when I tell her I have to check with OFC before I make some decisions that never goes well if its something she wants at the time and i want to wait and ask kinda like the Lap Top last week LOL. Your Honor, I refuse to answer that question. I do not want to incriminate myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 aren't tillers on the left side? yup but people with tillers are a bit off balance as it is so the goofy engine doesn't make a difference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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