Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

It isn't on all boats......;)​
 
642mx

642mx

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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

wajajaja02 said:
Why is the helm on the starboard side instead port like in a car?
Click to expand...

My guess is..... The helm is on the starboard side because the throttle is easier to operate for most people with there right arm..... its just a guess, I really don't know. :confused:
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

wajajaja02 said:
Why is the helm on the starboard side instead port like in a car?
Click to expand...

Same reason the helm is on the starboard side in a car in England, Australia, Japan etc
 
puddle jumper

puddle jumper

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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

I'm quite shure its a English or European thing. Something along the lines of the first modern style boat was born there and its just something that has stuck.
 
f_inscreenname

f_inscreenname

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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

Built in Florida in 1972.
dashqj3.jpg


I think it has more to do with balancing the torque from the prop.
 
G

greggholmes

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Jun 11, 2008
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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

my .02 . Back in the day the "steering board" was on the right side for the majority of the right handed peoples... Maybe its just custom?

OR.. the torque from the engine causes the boat to want to rotate to the left and it needs my fat but to hold it down..
 
SnappingTurtle

SnappingTurtle

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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

The old east German boats are often seen with the helm on the port side. When you ask why, they just say, I don't know.

It is a easy way to tell when looking at used boats here to tell with the older ones if they were produced in the the east.

For obvious reasons you don't see many.
 
F

Five O'Clock

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Apr 24, 2005
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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

My buddy is in the Navy, and I was with him about a month ago on my boat and he gave me the actual reason the helm is usually starboard, but I completely forget. I'll call him tonight and see if I can report back tomorrow.
 
E

ekinnee

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Jul 24, 2008
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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

Awesome question and great answers!

I imagine many folks have wondered this and never bothered to ask or just went with "that's the way it's always been".

The picture of the port side helm looks like it would be awkward, you'd have to lean forward to operate the throttle. Seems a bit unsafe as swerving to starboard or dropping speed is accepted as the quickest way to avoid a collision.
 
T

TommyA

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Jun 3, 2008
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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

f_inscreenname said:
Built in Florida in 1972.
dashqj3.jpg


I think it has more to do with balancing the torque from the prop.
Click to expand...

Looks as though Pasadena is experiencing as bad a drought as we are in Georgia.:D
 
f_inscreenname

f_inscreenname

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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

ekinnee said:
Awesome question and great answers!

I imagine many folks have wondered this and never bothered to ask or just went with "that's the way it's always been".

The picture of the port side helm looks like it would be awkward, you'd have to lean forward to operate the throttle. Seems a bit unsafe as swerving to starboard or dropping speed is accepted as the quickest way to avoid a collision.
Click to expand...

Not so much.
If you have ever drove a stick shift or center console shifter car it is very natural to have the gas lever on this side. Add in you drive from that side every time you drive a car makes it even more natural.
One of the reasons it works for this boat is the Volvo drive. It spins a left hand prop. Even at WOT there is no torque in the steering wheel or the hull.
After driving a boat from this side when you switch to the other it feels very strange. ;)
 
E

ekinnee

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Jul 24, 2008
Messages
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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

f_inscreenname said:
Not so much.
If you have ever drove a stick shift or center console shifter car it is very natural to have the gas lever on this side. Add in you drive from that side every time you drive a car makes it even more natural.
One of the reasons it works for this boat is the Volvo drive. It spins a left hand prop. Even at WOT there is no torque in the steering wheel or the hull.
After driving a boat from this side when you switch to the other it feels very strange. ;)
Click to expand...

It was more of a comment on the distance to the throttle, but that may be an issue of perspective in the photo. It just looks like it's farther away than it probably is.
 
txmntman

txmntman

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Re: Why is the Helm on the starboard side?

There may be other reasons, but primarily, the helm is on the starboard side because the prop turns clockwise. The torque of this movement tends to make the boat roll counter-clockwise - to port. You will always have a driver, and the weight of the driver tends to offset this port roll, or more correctly, this port lean.

Of course, this is not a problem with dual engines (with counter rotating props) and the bigger, heavier the boat the less the prop torque is an issue.
 
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