helm position L/R hand side

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squadron

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i was wondering if any of you guys had any advice reguarding left handed helm position , is it more difficult to reverse into a marina berth for instance ?.
although i have been driving left hand drive cars for the last 4 years and i am used to it , it still feels somehow strange and not natural . i know boats are not cars, but some of the boats, especially med built boats seem to have this . its a shame i feel this way as some of the boats are quite nice , but then i see the helm position and it just puts me off. anyway i would welcome anybody experience or thoughts on this .

thanks
david
 
Dont think it matters. Though my boat was right hand drive. So I nearly always berthed to starboard, just so I could see what was going on. Berthing to port was a pain. With left hand wheel it would be the other way about.

I nearly never backed in to a marina berth, cos for a boat, it is unnatural and makes it harder to get out.

Yes I do know you have to do in the Med. But the side of helm makes no difference.
 
Helm

I find it more natural to operate the engine controls with my right hand - and have only ever had one 'left hand drive' boat - and she had the controls mounted inboard (right hand). - So it never seemed to make a difference.
 
"Sinister" Where its supposed to be.

Have only ever had boats with the wheel on the left.Which is in my opinion the correct side for a helm on a boat.
Unless I have been doing something wrong for a very long time we always drive on the right when boating !
 
Arguably left hand drive is a little better as you pass other boats port to port, but I don't think it's a big issue either way. It certainly wouldn't influence my choice of boat.
 
First two boats had helm on port side. Previous boat had helm amidships (best of all) current boat has helm on starboard side. Never gave it a thought previously and makes no difference to me at all. There is no right or wrong!
 
Odd one this. Convention 'back in the day' used to be lhd in the UK and rhd in the US - opposite to their respective cars. Doubt it makes much difference in practice.
 
I always tell myself that I would marginally rather have the controls on the starboard side owing to minutely better visibility of stand-on boats in a crossing situation. But, when I've driven boats with the controls on the other side it's been the least of the issues in terms of helming an unfamiliar boat.

I certainly wouldn't let it put me off if I liked the boat.
 
While Rafiki has helm on the right, I have helmed several from the left, and for me it makes no difference. I moor stern in, only because it makes hopping on and off easier.
 
well thanks guys , its very interesting that everyone seems to have the same feelings (that it makes no difference ) so i think i will take your advice and not dismiss any boats because of this .

many thanks
david
 
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