Steering wheel on right

[Badfish]

Had a guy at work as me this question, and I didn't have a good answer, I figured someone here would know. Why are boat steering wheels on the right side as opposed to the left, like cars (trucks)?

Anybody?

Badfish

[cisco]

There is no longer any good reason -- however, they are on the right because years ago with the first steering wheel models, the craft were so light that the lift from the prop would cause the boat to tip. The weight of the driver was to offset the prop rotation lift.

Volvo-Penta designed the double-prop outdrive so that one prop would rotate clockwise, the other counter-clockwise.

From a practical standpoint today, you will find that it is easier docking with the wheel on the right and you are alone in the boat, probably because so many facilities were designed with the knowledge that the wheel is on the right (starboard).

[4-given]

Another possible reason. You are required to "give way" to a vessel approaching from the right. Site line to the right is more important than site line to the left.

[Cangl]

Throttle arms on the right for the "majority of boaters" and sorry lefties. With the water way as well as road way steer to right with oncoming on passing to your left. Could you imagine stepping over a throttle arm, controls, windshield and steering wheel off a dock? Could make for more "fun" then we already have.

[cisco]

Badfish didn't ask for "possible reasons." The historical fact of the matter is that propellers lifted the vessel on the right. Thus, the weight of the driver offset the lift.

Today there will be all sorts of configurations depending upon size, with right control and center console being most common on small craft.

On large craft the helm was almost always in the center, but not always towards the stern.