In a large fishing boat, is it better to have the wheelhouse up front or the wheelhouse in the back?

Question

Front Wheelhouse: http://deadliestreports.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/north_american_loaded.jpg

Rear Wheelhouse: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2160/1835320454_937013c2aa.jpg

Both of these boats are Crabbers, but what difference does the position of the Wheelhouse make?

Answer 1

rear is the best....it let you see the deck and the same time where you're going....and also man overboard!!!

Answer 2

The wheelhouse (and wheel) are typically aft in a boat for a practical reason: fewer moving parts.  When the wheel is closer to the rudder, there is less chance of mechanical malfunction.  If you bust your linkage on a wheel located forward, it would be extremely difficult to implement any sort of jury-rig.  My experience is with sailboats, where the wheel is located aft.  If the wheel linkage happens to break, most boats are built with an access port at the top of the rudder post, through which an emergency tiller can be used.

Answer 3

I myself like it at the back.(probably a throwback to my sailboat days.) It gives me a better idea of how the boat is going thru the seas. It is a bunch rougher back there. Most big fishers have a mid wheelhouse.

Answer 4

In the aft house position the Captain has a full view of the deck/crew and the work going on but less vision close to the bow. The aft house also catches less spray. Its personal prefference as to what position the operator likes the house in.