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Why are boat captain steering throttle etc on the right instead of left like we drive car?
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:38 pm
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:38 pm
Just popped in my head
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:39 pm to sidewalkside
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:40 pm to sidewalkside
Most standard boat propellers turn clockwise when moving forward. This rotational force creates torque that pushes the left side of the boat down slightly. Placing the driver and controls on the right side helps balance this weight and keeps the boat level
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:43 pm to sidewalkside
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:45 pm to Shexter
quote:
Most standard boat propellers turn clockwise when moving forward. This rotational force creates torque that pushes the left side of the boat down slightly. Placing the driver and controls on the right side helps balance this weight and keeps the boat level
This is interesting. Thank you for educating me today.
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:45 pm to Shexter
quote:
Most standard boat propellers turn clockwise when moving forward. This rotational force creates torque that pushes the left side of the boat down slightly. Placing the driver and controls on the right side helps balance this weight and keeps the boat level
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:52 pm to sidewalkside
tBoat GOAT Meteorologist
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:53 pm to Shexter
quote:
Most standard boat propellers turn clockwise when moving forward. This rotational force creates torque that pushes the left side of the boat down slightly. Placing the driver and controls on the right side helps balance this weight and keeps the boat level
It's been a productive day after all
Thank you sir
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:54 pm to Shexter
Posted on 9/25/26 at 3:58 pm to BottomlandBrew
Another interesting fact about boats...... That same propeller rotation also causes the boat to drift to the left. Normally the captain has the ability to see land in the distance and can make slight adjustments to the steering to remain straight. In the dark or fog (before gps) there is no landmark and as a result people who got lost at night while on the water had traveled in a circle. It happened to me one time. I launched in fog and thought I had gone across the creek but had really just gone in a circle. I didn't realize it until I saw my truck at the ramp
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:05 pm to Beessnax
quote:
Another interesting fact about boats...... That same propeller rotation also causes the boat to drift to the left. Normally the captain has the ability to see land in the distance and can make slight adjustments to the steering to remain straight. In the dark or fog (before gps) there is no landmark and as a result people who got lost at night while on the water had traveled in a circle. It happened to me one time. I launched in fog and thought I had gone across the creek but had really just gone in a circle. I didn't realize it until I saw my truck at the ramp
People also tend to drift to the left when walking without visual cues. SAR teams are trained to search to the left of the victim's intended route first. You can demonstrate this for yourself by closing your eyes and marching in place for 30 seconds. When you open your eyes you will most likely be off center to your left.
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:05 pm to Beessnax
quote:
Another interesting fact about boats...... That same propeller rotation also causes the boat to drift to the left. Normally the captain has the ability to see land in the distance and can make slight adjustments to the steering to remain straight. In the dark or fog (before gps) there is no landmark and as a result people who got lost at night while on the water had traveled in a circle. It happened to me one time. I launched in fog and thought I had gone across the creek but had really just gone in a circle. I didn't realize it until I saw my truck at the ramp
this happened to me too, only for me, i was dropped off in the middle of the sahara desert and was walking by foot.
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:08 pm to MRTigerFan
What’s the chances that I’m watching breaking bad while reading this thread? Lol
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:10 pm to Shexter
quote:
Most standard boat propellers turn clockwise when moving forward. This rotational force creates torque that pushes the left side of the boat down slightly. Placing the driver and controls on the right side helps balance this weight and keeps the boat level
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:22 pm to sidewalkside
It came about due to the sail horn (a horn the helmsman would sound to the crew to raise or lower sails, thus adjusting speed) being on the larbord (or port, left) side of the helm.
Just a carryover from the sailing days that now is an artifact on modern vessels
Just a carryover from the sailing days that now is an artifact on modern vessels
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:25 pm to sidewalkside
More nautical tidbits. Starboard (right side) comes from steorbord or steerboard. Since most captains were right handed the steering oar would stick out on right side. To prevent damage they docked on the larboerd or load side (left), later changed to port.
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:35 pm to sidewalkside
Inam a boat captain and currently on my crew boat posting so it is me.
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:38 pm to sidewalkside
quote:
Why are boat captain steering throttle etc on the right instead of left like we drive car?
The gas pedal in your car is on the left?
Posted on 9/25/26 at 4:44 pm to Chad504boy
quote:
was dropped off in the middle of the sahara desert and was walking by foot.
That sucks. I would not have enjoyed any of that and would have been pissed because I wasted my time
Posted on 9/25/26 at 5:08 pm to Shexter
But the general answer is that it represents traditional right-hand dominance.
Before there were even rudders, a stern oar was lowered into the water to steer the boat. These were shaded to the right side. This was originally called the "steerboard" side, side which eventually evolved into the modern starboard side.
Before there were even rudders, a stern oar was lowered into the water to steer the boat. These were shaded to the right side. This was originally called the "steerboard" side, side which eventually evolved into the modern starboard side.
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