does anyone know why boat steering is done from the starboard side of the boat. It seems that cars are all left hand in this country and boats pass the same way port to port? just curious as my son asked on the weekend and I don't have a clue
Hi, Bean.<br /><br />Most engines turn their prop clockwise, which produces a torque reaction leaning the boat to port. <br /><br />By putting the helm to starboard prop torque is at least partially counterbalanced.
JB is 100% correct. The weight of the driver helps counter-balance the torque of the prop pushing the starboard side up. It's not a custom, but an intended design. So, get fatter and you're just doing some marine engineering.
Don't know how true it is but I was told it goes way back to when boats were steered by a steering board (hence starboard) which was located on the right side of the ship (opposite the port side)since it would be difficult to steer into a port when the stering device was on the same side.
<br /><br />By putting the helm to starboard prop torque is at least partially counterbalanced. 
