Lobster boats?

[duluthboats]

After 2 glasses of wine, a dumb question from the land of fresh water. I have been looking at a lot of lobster boats, well, pictures; we don’t have any real ones in this area. So I have noticed that some lobster boats are worked from the starboard side and some from port. What is the reason? Is it just personal preference, a lefty righty thing, or is the water they work in an influential factor?

Gary

[mmd]

Personal preference, though most in my area are worked on the stbd side.

[duluthboats]

Thanks mmd, the things I worry about at 1 AM.

Gary

[PAR]

I always design the helm to port on a craft where the skipper will not be helping out with dock handling duties. The logic being the helm's eyes will be looking forward and to slightly starboard in a natural position, also port to port passing is eye to eye.

On boats the helmsman will be required to handle a line or fender, I put it to starboard. Most folks are right handed and working the "shimmy" up the float or shoving off a dock while steering with the left is comfortable to "righties" You'll find this is typical of most small craft, with a low helm station.

Though currently I see larger craft with it in both positions, I think the designer should be required to handle the boat and pull maintenance before he signs off on the package. A lot of trendy stuff would go right out the "Y" valve, pretty quick . . .