View Full Version : Why are boat steering wheels on the right and cars on the left?
MarcoPolo
07-08-2002, 08:44 PM
My girlfriend posed a question to me last night (between rolling her eyes as I was reclined in the old Lazy Boy looking through about a dozen boat manufacturer catalogs): she asked why boats have the steering wheel on the right and cars have it on the left. I don't rightly know the answer and wasn't able to pull anything out of my butt to make it sound like I did. I told her I would ask you guys. The good thing about this is she is finally interested in me checking something out on WC! Thanks for any help--fact or fiction!
work2fish
07-08-2002, 08:56 PM
Marco,
I thought about this recently as well. Could it be because it makes more sense for a driver to use his/her right hand on the throttle rather than the left just like a gear shifter? Running the cables along the side of the boat is of course easier and so maybe the right side made more sense since most people are right-handed...
Just a guess, I'll be interested to hear other reponses...
work2fish
bigfish1965
07-08-2002, 10:12 PM
Actually, there are two reasons.First, it has to do with the torque of an engine. The motors torque tends to make a boat twist and roll to the left. Your weight counteracts this. Second, and more important probably, if you are travelling along the right side of a channel like you are supposed to, the docks/piers would be on your side when you pull up to them.
Sink'RSwim
07-09-2002, 02:09 PM
I was helping a buddy move from his apt a few years back. His girl friend was there--a very intelligent woman, graduated Magna Cum Lauda in Mathmatices from University; however, world smart she wasn't (air head).
While we were packing she happened to notice the boxes we were using and said "Saaaaaaaaam, why do those boxes say 'This side up?'. And good 'ol Sam, without missing a beat, earnestly stated, "because, Hon, they want the other side down." -you think that's funny?-she bought it.
Therefore possible answers to the location of the driver's seat would be:
1. So that Middle Eastern types could readily recognize which they were in-car or boat-see, they sit in the middle of a camel.
2. Boats were invented by the British
3. So, if your fishin partner really p___es you off; you can get a full swing at their jaw (most people are right handed).
4. For etiquette purposes--after relieving yourself or picking your nose it is good manners to wash your hand. You do this by exercising the 'right hand' trolling technique' (most people being right handed)
Because
07-09-2002, 04:12 PM
Because in England they are on the left!
Leo Kam
07-09-2002, 06:18 PM
Rules of navigation state that boats approaching from the right have the right-of-way and with the wheel on the right you have a better view to sight those boats.
Wables
07-09-2002, 07:49 PM
Why would anyone want to put a steering wheel in a boat?
mr natural
07-09-2002, 09:10 PM
keep on truckin
Leo Kam
07-10-2002, 09:49 AM
Because some people are too lazy or just dont know that the best way to fish ia with a tiller...........like I got on my boat. :)
Hiya,
Boats are that way because of a very very old boatbuilding tradition. The steering rudders on Norse ships were on the right-hand or the star(steer)board side. The name and location stuck.
See, if you look hard enough, you can give a Norwegian credit for just about everything ;)
RK