which side is port

[embarassed]

so i'm stupid, but i can't keep port and starboard straight. help

[Phil T.]

Port has fewer letters than starboard, left has fewer letters than right. Port is left. Okay, one more: what's the difference between a rode and a line, and why don't boats have ropes aboard?

[Slip_Bobber]

From behind the boat lefT = porT
Took me years to rember!

[Capt. Denny Bergeman]

Very simple to remember. Port is left side of the boat. (Same number of letters) Good Fishing.

[jim c]

I had a model vicking ship that had a oar tied to the right side ,straight down to guide its direction called a stearboard, and most people then are right handed,so it went on the right. The other side of the boat was used to tie up to the dockwhich is called a port, so as to not break off the stearbord. The left side was called port This was all explained in the instructions for the model ,and I knew this from when I was about 8 yrs old and neve forgot it.

[Mac]

Like the story about "Starboard"! Makes sense for the first time. Also on the light colors, remember that port wine is red. The starboard light is green.

[Mac]

Like the story about "Starboard"! Makes sense for the first time. Also on the light colors, remember that port wine is red. The starboard light is green.

[dahopping]

Go right to the stars.
Go = green

[mbrandt]

I always remember that the steering wheel is on the same side as starboard. They both start with "s" I always think "steerboard" I suppose this does no good to tillers and center consoles, but it helps me remember.


Mark

[Mike]

The easiest way to remember...port and left both have four letters. You'll never miss.

[fishlips]

Just take a piece of tape and write in RED marker "Port" on it and tape it to the left gunwhale. Write in GREEN marker "Starboard" on another piece and tape it to the right gunwhale. You will look at it all year and remember it as well as anybody that is in the boat with you! Also keep a VISIBLE laminated copy of all the buoy markers in your boat and what they mean. Now isn't that genius of me? LOL

[sTAN]

Starboard--the side the "STAR" of the boat sits, on the right where the consol is. (If you have a tiller this obviously doesn't work!) I like the other replies though.

[jim c]

Also ,cars at first ,so i have heard somewhere,had the driver on the right and drove on the right side of the road (again the right hand dominance) but the view of the center of the road was poor and oncomming trafic ,which was noexistant at that time but became a prob as cars became more common,could be seen more accurately caus of accidents probably

[jim c]

Soooo now we drive on the right and sit on the left in cars but drive on the right and sit on the right in boats. thats my story and iam sticking to it jim c..

[Chairman]

My easiest way is to remember that port and left are both 4 letter words and face the front of the boat when making the decision as to which is port and straboard. That is why Off shore boards say left and Right. hope this helps

[TerryMac]

This helped me: On board a ship.....
A guy told me "port is left and starboard is right....and next time you forget I'm throwing you out one of those little round windows over there."
LOL pretty dumb....but, I never forgot after that.

[Pops]

My Father-in-law was taking a fling course and the instructor taught them a little line that helped the most confused people, me included :-) remember which side is which. It goes like this;
"A man named RED LEFT PORT".
That gives you the color and side the color belongs on and which side is Port.
Works for me. I also had to learn it the hard way fishing with my Grandfather, he was a Navy man in WWII and always gave me a bad time about going to the wrong side of the boat.
Hope this helps.
Keep your rod bent!!
Pops

[Fish-Dog]

I was told once "Red Right Returning" to remember the lights and I use 'Port'land,Or.( which is west(left) of me remember port.

[GatorT]

I grew up in Florida and was all over the place. I had to take a Coast Guard Auxillary Course in order to use our boat (my dad's rule!) Anyway, the coastal waters have all kinds of bouys, green, black, red, etc. One thing I definitely remember is "RED RIGHT RETURN", which meant when you are returning back inland, you always wanted the red bouys on the right side when you are returning. And you know what, I still use that little rule when running up and down the Mississippi River even today. If you are going upstream (Returning), then always keep the Red bouys on the Right. Anyway, the older I get, my dad seems to keep getting smarter... Just a thought. Peace!

[River_eye]

Well, the reason that we sit on the right side of the boat is to counteract the propeller torque. Prop spins clockwise, putting counter-clockwise torque on the boat. Sitting on the right helps to balance.

River eye

[River_eye]

It still works for a tiller, you still sit on the right side of the boat.

River eye

[Gunga Din]

> what's the difference between a rope and a
> line, and why don't boats have ropes aboard?

Don't forget sheets--used to set sails. You wouldn't want to call one a rope on a sailboat!

[ufda]

So now let me see...port left as that is the side you tie up to port on (except I tie up on the right) and the left light is green, but I want to keep the red bouys on my right when going to Minneapolis but I'm in Tucson....and something about a viking with an oar........ ;-)
Seriously, left and port are the shortest words and right and starboard are the longest has always worked for me and for navigation "red on the right when returning" also has worked if you know if you are coming or going. :-)
ufda

[eyeguy/mn]

I cant belive the old saying , "the ship LEFT PORT" hasnt came up yet?? lol my 2 cents......... paul

[Sheila]

When fishing gone dry and in doubt where one will come from:
cast off to the starboard, the right side

you will find fish there...

[Barb]

Interesting discussion - here's my 3 cents. My husband told me port = passenger (that's usually me). So I sit on the port side and when I go to put MY fish in the well I have to turn on the port side livewell switch. Works for me. Now these red and green buoys, they seem to be a problem . . .

[larry]

STAR bRIGHT, STAR bRIGHT, hope i see a star tonight

[dmktgman2]

Does that mean if you're in the front of the boat facing back port is on the starboard side of someone in the back of the boat facing forward?

[Dave in Mpls]

RED = RIGHT (Starboard) when traveling upstream

Green = LEFT (Port) when traveling upstream

On the river, most stuff is referenced traveling upstream (river mile, etc). Bearing that in mind, Red = Right

Regards

[walleyeman]

think when your dirving your boat the side with the stirring weel is the starbord the passenger side is port