Stearing wheel - Port or Starboard

[DPH]

In this months MBY someone writes in to ask why so many boats are built with the wheel on the wrong side, by which he implies that the wheel should be on the port side as vessels pass port to port.

Perhaps this is useful on canals and rivers where close passing is common due to narrow channels however, when at sea I much prefer the wheel to be on the starboard side. My reasonon is that you normally give way to boats to your starboard so sitting on this side of the boat gives you a clearer, and probably a larger viewing angle of this side of the boat.

Of course the other benefit is the throttle controls fit nicely on the port side of the boat and in your right hand.

Most motor boats I see have the helm on the starboard side. Is this for reasons of safety as I think or is it simply ergonomics?

 

[ianonhercules]

Steering wheel location

I believe that the wheel and control location has to do with the rotation/hand of the propellor. In my boat, which is a single engine trawler with a left hand prop, the wheel is on the starboard side as that is where the wheelhouse door is and in reverse the boat moves to starboard, thus docking on the this side. A previous boat I operated had a right hand prop and thus the port side was favoured, which was also where the door was located.

Just my somewhat limited experience with two boats.

Ian

 

[Tidnock]

I wonder why most, if not all the American built boats are SHD, America is least conscious of the rest of the world and obviously a LHD country. As you say, whilst you pass port to port, if it were that finite that you had to be on the port side to see what you were doing, it would be to dangerous. Perhaps it is ergonomics, that said, that would suggest that all left hand drive cars are unergonomic. When single seat race cars had a gear lever shift, where did they put the lever?

 

[Csail]

Of course the other benefit is the throttle controls fit nicely on the port side of the boat and in your right hand.


I don't get that? Unless you helm facing backwards.

 

[davedpc]

With single engine boats engine torque tends to lift you at the helm as the boat twists.

 

[mjf]

Well old chap some of us have TWO helms.


My main helm is to Stbd and fly bridge to port.

Excellent arrangement it is too

 

[DPH]

Of course the other benefit is the throttle controls fit nicely on the port side of the boat and in your right hand.


I don't get that? Unless you helm facing backwards.

Ok, i meant starboard! I should know that by now! I also should know not to drink and post!

 

[nonitoo]

I doubt if there is actually any particular maritime reason why the helm is either port or starboard and that the real reason is probably more to do with design than anything else.

Mine is on the stbd side (US boat) and, yes, that gives you a great view as give way vessel, but the view is pretty unobstructed anyway.

I had never thought of connecting the helm position with the transverse thrust of a single engined prop, but I don't think that has much to do with things. After all the transverse thrust is really only apparent when going astern and the helm position is largely irrelevant then.

Tom

 

[PCUK]

My two helms are central - ship style!

 

[nonitoo]

My two helms are central - ship style!

That's because the helmsman on a ship has only one job to do - steer. He is not encouraged to look out of the window. The only thing he should look at is the gyro repeater !!!

 

[PCUK]

If that was the only reason they would put the helm in a tiny orifice in the bowels of the ship!And it works well for me!

 

[nonitoo]

If that was the only reason they would put the helm in a tiny orifice in the bowels of the ship!And it works well for me!

I'm sure it does and, in fact, the Grey Funnel Line does have the helmsman buried in the bowels.

Tom

 

[ianonhercules]

Sreering wheel location

Well, you know what? It works for me! Most docking situations in the US and Canada are to a floating dock. I do a lot of singlehanding and it is most convenient for me, with a CCW prop, to dock with the starboard side to the dock. I can have my lines ready at the helm door and when I reverse to slow/stop the boat, she nestles nicely against the dock, due to prop-walk, and I can jump ashore with a minimum of fuss. In my situation, if the door/helm were on the opposite side it would be a chinese firedrill. And, "Old chap" the helm on the bridge is in the centre! I use this position, when docking, only if I have crew along to jump ashore with the lines. As they say, in the Good Ole US of A "Different strokes for different folks". And before you get your knickers in a twist about D....d Yanks, I was born and raised in the UK!

Ian