Why speed boats have the steering wheel on the right and not in the left like cars?

Question

Why speed boats have the steering wheel on the right and not in the left like cars?

Answer 1

Good question,

  I believe that the wheel position on the RIGHT on a power boat relates to the fact that when returning to port thru a channel marked with buoys, the port buoy (red marker) is always on the right when returning to port, you always want to be steering from a position closest to the buoy especially in a narrow channel in bad weather.

The buoy also marks the edge of the channel, one always wants to control  the boat from a position that will allow the best vantage point to view any potential dangers relating to shallow water or other dangers or obstructions found at the channel edges.

  Also boats pass each other on their port sides (left to left) in channels, the right sides always faces the shores where dangers lurk, thus the wheel on the right to gives the helmsman a better viewing position for obstructions and potential dangers.

   Also in a channel one approaches the dock on the right side. It makes it easier and safer to dock if the wheel is on the right, the same side as the dock.

  Forgive my clumsy explanation but I hope I answered your question.

Thanks,

Norm W..

Answer 2

Boats have "wheels" on the right, left, and middle.

Answer 3

I think it is because in boating you " yield " to the right.  So you have to be able to see clearly on the right side.

Answer 4

Boats don't have a left or a right, they have a port and a starboard! but just like your car where the driver sits on the left  and you drive on the right side of the road, in boats the driver sits on the starboard and you yield to the port.

Answer 5

Normally it to do with the rotational thrust of the engine (centrifugal force). On boats with 2 engines (Depending on many factors) one turn counter-clockwise and the other turn clockwise to keep the "centrifugal force" from tilting the boat to one side. But, one engine, many steering wheels are to the right to counterbalance the "Gyro" effect as this add weight to the side that need it to keep the boat more stable.

Depending on how we define a speed boat, many race boats the driver sit center and the boat designer plans the boat for driver weight and the rotational force from the engine to achieve the best performance. Regular pleasure boats are not as detailed in their design.

Answer 6

You will find helm stations in various positions on boats today.  It has been and still is maritime tradition to place captains quarters on the starboard side of merchant vessels.