helm on the starboard or the port side?

Hahahaha! Indeed!

When my boys were six and eight years of age, I bought a ten-foot GW Invader so they could water ski. By moving the seat and steering wheel to the middle (and controls to the floor between my legs), each of them had a side seat. No bickering!

 

The problem is that you may have to dock to whatever dock is available, unless you always land at your own spot.
My view is that with a left handed prop you get more control with a port helm and with a right handed prop more control with a starboard helm.
This is because the visibility is better on the side that you will strugle more with, and you will have your reverse side thrust to help you on the side that you have poor visibility on.

 

I will have the steering forward on the centreline, and emergency tillers-arms aft that can be directly connected to the rudder posts... Both engines rotate in the same direction... Works for me... In Australia? what of the rules on water when most of the fools do not even know the basic LAND road rules... Just have a bigger and more intimidating boat, and a more directional and louder FOG HORN... and LOUD HAILER... "Go to Starboard - veer to your RIGHT" - Then as they come abeam remind them - "When passing in opposite direction it is Port to Port or Red to Red then go ahead... ie... Left hand to left hand"...

LEFT, RED, PORT are the short words
RIGHT, GREEN, STARBOARD are the loooong words... GOT THAT? Good....

 

Most terminology originates from Dutch because they were the first seafaring nation. For whatever reason they placed the helm on the right hand side and called that "stuurboord". Maybe it just seemed like a good idea at the time, but since there is no pressing reason to change it.....

 

could it be that most are right handed?

 

Starboard Side+ Steering Board Side

Its only Natural and should not be screwed with.

My New Center Console has the steering on the left side of the center consol. I find it Awkward and have no idea whay any boatbuilder would ever do it. but there it is anyway so I just have to deal with it.

 

Center consoles are putting the helm on the port side of the console.
I pick center first, starboard second.

 

One of the great questions of the universe. After 30 years boating, It doesn't matter.
On my boat top bridge is on port, lower bridge on starboard. Why? There is a stairway in between , I think most of the time arbitrary. Note eventhough is centerline, the compassing is centerline. Even with GPS, I still steer by compass heading. Easier to stay straight if I can see center of ship.

 

is there a boat in that picture. i didn't even see it

 

This is a question that comes up from time to time and has been addressed. Helm location is dependent on a few factors, boat size, crew size, visibility, expected use, etc.

For example a small craft may be used solo, which means the skipper will also be preforming docking and ground tackle duties. This means the helm goes to starboard, because 90% of the world is right handed and will pick up dock lines, etc. from their seated position at the helm. On the other hand, a larger craft may have crew and reasonable side decks, so line handling duties are on them and the skipper is free to handle the boat. In these cases the helm is to port. The reason for this is, the skipper's eyes will always be in view of the "action" and port to port passing. Centered helm locations are for craft that can afford this placement, typically larger vessels or application requirements, such as 360 degree fish fighting or gear handling.

Traditions don't have a very significant role in helm placement, except on traditional craft where any other place is just wrong. The 18 year old in that photo has a fair bit of cellulite on her butt, which will get real lovely after a few kids and/or crack binges.

 

The 18 year old in that photo has a fair bit of cellulite on her butt, which will get real lovely after a few kids and/or crack binges.[/QUOTE]

is there anything you don't put down.

 

The model is there for aesthetic consideration only, so it's only appropriate to evaluate the whole package. As to what I don't put down, you've obviously only focused on my negative, though usually constructive contributions here, which is unfortunate.

 

Why do you sit on the starboard side to control your outboard...to counteract the torque of the engine...thats why the handle is on the port side of the outboard. So your steering goes to the starboard no contest.

Wicked goods photo is excellent but forget the celulite ...its not the meat its where they meet ..........oops

 

"Most terminology originates from Dutch because they were the first seafaring nation. "

I think the Phoenicians might object to that statement !

FF

 

I've read in the past that "steering board" came fro the Vikings. In Hebridean Scots Gaelic, which had a lot of Viking influence, they also say "Sturabord" with the same pronounciation as CDK's Dutch, but they also had a lot of dealings with Dutch fishermen hundreds of years ago, so who knows where it came from.