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Why are steering wheels on the starboard side? What next, tea instead of coffee?

Kate wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:53 am Why are steering wheels on the starboard side? What next, tea instead of coffee?

https://gemlux.com/blogs/boating/why-ar ... .%E2%80%9D

The rules put forth by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) apply to vessels in all waterways and all countries of the world. This set of guidelines maintains that all boats should keep to the right of oncoming traffic. Therefore, having steering wheels on the right side of the vessel makes it easier for operators to keep an eye on nearby boats.

However, this isn’t always the case on smaller vessels – visibility of oncoming traffic may actually be better on the left side. For this reason, an increasing number of boat manufacturers are starting to place steering wheels on the left. Time will tell if this trend will gain momentum.

But why did the IMO choose the right side to maintain traffic flow? The rules indeed have to do with the large portion of right-handed boat operators, and this dates back to the days before modern boat rudders existed. Instead, oars were used to propel boats of all shapes and sizes through the water. A specialized oar called the steering oar was placed on vessels to provide the same functionality as modern-day rudders, and they were operated by sailors positioned at the stern. Because the vast majority of sailors were right-handed, these oars were placed on the right side, and the tradition lives on today. The right side of a boat is even called the “starboard” side, which originated from the word “steerboard.”

Interesting read.

Yet this seems to apply mainly to power boats. Almost all cruising sailboats have the wheel on the center line of the boat....some do have dual wheels, but I can't remember seeing an offest wheel on a sailboat.....

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Nice explanation OL.

Since we're so accustomed to driving on the right side here in the states, most people continue to do so at our lake even in tight areas like coming into the marina.

I did have a cup of hot tea though.

I prefer to have the steering on the starboard side. Based on current rules on the water you are the give way if a vessel is approaching on your starboard side. There is a much better view of that area if you are seated starboard as opposed to port looking through heads, windshields and the like. Not sure if that was the logic behind it, but I like it

"The rules put forth by . . ."

The rules-of-the-road explanation is interesting. I've also heard this:

Starboard wheel puts captain's weight on that side, which helps to counteract the bow-to-port motion and starboard rise caused by prop torque (on clockwise turning props). (Newton's 3rd Law)

Im trying to get into tea lol

Kate wrote: ↑Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:59 am Starboard wheel puts captain's weight on that side, which helps to counteract the bow-to-port motion and starboard rise caused by prop torque (on clockwise turning props). (Newton's 3rd Law)

I believe this is the main reason.