Why do boats keep right ?

Question

Googled it but didn't really find a simple or definate answer.... Need to text someone the answer so if you could explain it shortly that would rock!

Answer 1

USCG law

Answer 2

boating laws in every state and international water laws dictate passing on the right to ensure that vessels pass eachother with out ramming.

Answer 3

Hi there

The first thing you need to do is to explain yourself in the meaning "right" I am not sure where you are comming from, and then we can answer your question.

Answer 4

not sure how you mean that, but if you mean drifting toward the right while traveling straight, then my answer would be because of the direction of the prop turning. Props turn to the right or left and the wash will cause the boat to drift to one side or another.

Drive a twin-engine boat sometime and have the props turning at different RPMs and you will see the boat pushes to one side or the other.

Answer 5

do you mean "keep to the right side of the waterway"?

if so, i dont think there is a law saying which side you should be on.  on rivers boats going down stream have the right of way , meaning a boat heading upstream must yield to boats coming downstream.  navigating down stream is more difficult because the water is pushing the boat in that direction.

Answer 6

It really doens't matter which side of the channel you keep to, as long as everyone uses the same convention.

It MAY be that keeping right would put the steersman on the "outside" with a clearer view ahead, back in the days when you steered with a steering oar, traditionally mounted on the right   - but that's just a guess.

It's said that "starboard" come from the term "steer-board"

Answer 7

Well, I can't speak for inland waterways such as lakes and inland rivers etc however navigation at sea is govered by rules much like the highway code, called The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs)

Rule 9 (Narrow Channels) of the COLREGS (which apply to all vessels upon the high seas and all waters connected to the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels) clearly states:

"a vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway is obliged to keep "as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable."

Ie: she must keep to the right ;)

Answer 8

Boats displace water and are built from natural or man made water resistant materials. Look at their shape. Even the most ancient canoes are shaped like a curve.It's all about balance. Rafts also float but not as well as a boat.