Left or Right hand side steering? Why?
#11
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 8
From: Ocala, Fl
I remember asking this question loooong ago and my Dad and Uncles explained it this way: in a single engine boat the rotation of the crank and prop tended to raise the starboard side of the boat. To balance this effect the helm was placed on the starboard side to compensate for the torque lift. I always figured twin engine boats had the helm starboard also simply to avoid re-tooling for a port side location.
#14
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 127
From: Pasadena, MD
I remember asking this question loooong ago and my Dad and Uncles explained it this way: in a single engine boat the rotation of the crank and prop tended to raise the starboard side of the boat. To balance this effect the helm was placed on the starboard side to compensate for the torque lift. I always figured twin engine boats had the helm starboard also simply to avoid re-tooling for a port side location.
#20
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,948
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Spent my entire lift driving right hand side boats with throttles to the right. Most higher performance boats put throttles between driver and left side passenger, probably so a qualified throttle man can sit to the left.
While I'd prefer my future cat to have throttles to my right, if Tres Marine wants to teach me to sit on right and use left hand on throttles, that's what I shall do.
While I'd prefer my future cat to have throttles to my right, if Tres Marine wants to teach me to sit on right and use left hand on throttles, that's what I shall do.






