Helm-stations on Powerboats

[BBSebens]

Why is it that on most power boats, the controls are on the starboard wide of the boat? I don't think that one side could be right or wrong, but it seems like they are all on that side.

Is there a reason for this? or is it just tradition? and what does that tradition stem from?

[Dave Wright]

Jay Benford gives his rationale for always placing the helm station on the port side here:

http://www.benford.us/index.html?scp/ in the description of an 18' skiff

Quote:

"I've shown the control station to port. This is in line with my philosophy of always putting the helm off-center to port. My reasoning for this is that the danger zone is to starboard, and any passengers would also be to starboard. So, if the helmsman is looking at or talking to the person to starboard, he would be looking towards the danger zone. This is much preferred to turning your back on the danger zone and should contribute to more safe operation."

[wizbang 13]

Racing boats go (or used to) anti clockwise around an ovalish course, so steering is to port on these. I THOUGHT that steering moved over to stbd. because a normal (right hand ) propeller will tend to twist /pull a boat, up on stbd. side, ('specially if trimmed too low).Same for tiller outboards.

[BarnacleGrim]

I sit to port when steering with a tiller, and on the left side when driving a car or flying. The wheel is usually in the centreline for sailboats and ships, but if it has to be offset I'd prefer port side. Paradoxically, I hear port steering is more common in Britain where the cars are have right hand steering.

[rbgarr]

AFAIK lobsterboats (at least around here) have starboard helms so the pot buoy can be grabbed in passing with the right hand and the line put over the davit and around the hauler, while steering and throttling left handed. I suppose a lefty would want it the helm to port.

[Mike Vogdes]

Actually I remember this question came up here years ago..

The answer back then was the oar or paddle used to steer the ship back in the Viking days (or there abouts) was called a "steerboard", and eventually evolved into term we are all familiar with today, starboard.

[BBSebens]

I sit to port when steering with a tiller, and on the left side when driving a car or flying. The wheel is usually in the centreline for sailboats and ships, but if it has to be offset I'd prefer port side.

This is what I was thinking. Makes sense for americans to have port-side controls since that is more in line with our other forms of transportation.

Interesting...

[BigIsland]

I don't know about you guys, but I know more righties than lefties. Being a rightly I can say with confidence that my left hand is more steady and controllable. It makes sense, think of it this way...

Car-Hold the steering wheel with your left hand, shift with your right

Plane-Hold the control wheel with your left hand, throttle-prop-mixture with your right

Boat-Steer with your left hand, throttle with your right

Have you ever noticed a boat with a port helm station will typically have a dash mounted as opposed to side mounted throttle. Interesting stuff.

[nedL]

My thought & understanding has always been along the same line as Jay Benford's(but opposite) . Helm on the starboard side allows for better visibility to starboard, which is where you need to be paying more attention (so to speak). Also, on small single screw inboards the prop torque does tend to roll the boat prt down, starboard up, so the helmsman counteracts this.

[pipefitter]

Also, on smaller planing skiffs with ample power, to offset the throw of the outboard motor prop, which will have a tendency to lift the starboard side of the boat when running solo. Of course this becomes moot when you have a passenger aboard but to run a skiff solo from the port side would have most well on the port chine always trying to steer left.

[BarnacleGrim]

Starboard helm makes sense in boats like Peter's and Saltiguy's when docking in narrow canals. All you have to do is lean out the window to see how close you are to the dock.

[James McMullen]

I'm more used to starboard helm so that's what I'd prefer. . .but I'm not sure it really makes any difference as long as you're comfortable with what you've got. If you're building your own recreational boat, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't just pick the side you like and be used to it.

[Dr.Spoke]

Actually I remember this question came up here years ago..

The answer back then was the oar or paddle used to steer the ship back in the Viking days (or there abouts) was called a "steerboard", and eventually evolved into term we are all familiar with today, starboard.

I think Mike's right here.... Any other explanation - props and such is coincidental. As to what is best.... I dunno - always sit facing the sail!