Why are Outboards Made to be Operated with the Left Hand?

[Sandero]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

The point was, driving like that, sitting on the stbd side, basically facing port, means that boats approaching from stbd, that you have to give way to, are coming from behind your back, and are difficult to see.

You're supposed to be looking ALL around, not just in the direction your body faces. This is a silly argument because no one has eyes in the back of their head and so no matter where you sit you can't see behind you. If you think rules of the road control behavior of recreational boaters.... you are very naive.

My rule is simple... I do not pass in front of another boat.... and this lessens the possibility of a collision or being run down.

[Sandero]

This thread is kinda weird.

The tiller/throttle position is closer to the port tube. If this is comfortable when sitting on port tube... go for it. If sitting to starboard feels more comfortable then site to starboard.

I have been a stbd tone sitter and use my left hand to steer/throttle and my right arm to start with the pull chord. Port side feels weird and confusing to me.

Who cares? There is no right answer...

The beam of the boat may influence your "reach"... and maybe for beamy boats it makes more sense to sit on the tiller side of the boat... and on narrow beams to sit opposite the tiller. I've never been faced with these issues.

[Matsubob]

When I read this question about outboard motor controls, I had an "AHA! moment". I sail so have little experience with outboards. So when I used the one at our boatyard, I did what was natural for a motorcyclist and tried to control it with my right hand. As the engine would revv and quiet down again, I was frustrated as I kept telling myself, "this is not your bike!" So maybe that's why. I don't know.... but that explanation works for me!

[s/v Jedi]

So you first amaze me by buying left handed outboards and now you claim never to have heard of USTAHOT outboards?! They are great... and right handed!

[Tayana42]

We are all thinking about this backward. Dinghies are meant to be rowed facing aft. So sit on the thwart facing aft and look over your shoulders occasionally. That way you can grasp the throttle with either hand. Your USTAHOT will work either way.[emoji6]

[thomm225]

I think it has to do with what type boat you had your first outboard on.

Mine was a 14' V Bottom Aluminum and there was plenty of room to steer from the port side.

To me, it just seemed the best way especially when going over waves at 20-25 knots and having to keep the boat running in a straight line especially when hitting a wave wrong

[Sandero]

Here's another reason I sit to stbd... when I come along side a dock or whatever and I need to do a tie or hold on to something.... I do it with my right (stronger arm) hand which is the free one... which also "holds" on if I am moving quickly.

[Sailmonkey]

Realistically outboards were created for rigid boats where one sits in front of the engine. This leaves the dominant hand of all the odd people out there free for other tasks. Rubber boats where we sit on one gunwale or the other are new.

[Pelagic]

I checked the book and we ALL have it wrong!!.

There are a number of safe positions available depending on
Beam?
# of strokes available?
length of middle leg unit?
draft in colder climates?
how much pounding the boat will take?
# Onboard?
Natural preferences?

It's all in the hard to find nautical tome:
YAMA-HA-SUTRA

Based on these age old studies
http://sexpositions.club/kamasutra
[emoji1] [emoji111]

[buzzstar]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I checked the book and we ALL have it wrong!!.

There are a number of safe positions available depending on
Beam?
# of strokes available?
length of middle leg unit?
draft in colder climates?
how much pounding the boat will take?
# Onboard?
Natural preferences?

It's all in the hard to find nautical tome:
YAMA-HA-SUTRA

Based on these age old studies
Kamasutra - 245 Kamasutra Positions With Pictures. All About Kama Sutra.
[emoji1] [emoji111]

Well constructed. I'll bet your book even has the positions numbered. Much safer to keep it inboard than expose your Johnson to the elements. OK, there is more (some of which I cut) but I QUIT, to the relief of all, especially the 'stralians who do not like these Yankie tales.

[hsi88]

Originally Posted by boatman61

To continue this analogy of non standardization, a motorcycle has the front brake on the right, but a bicycle has it on the left.

When I buy a bicycle, I always switch this to match motorcycles. When I squeeze with my right hand, I want the bike to stop!

[seafinn]

Love you all if you don't have more problem and ver to your hand

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[James S]

Originally Posted by StuM

Seagulls weren't made until the 1930s.
Lots of manufacturers in the 1920s.
Evinrude was making them in 1909.

The Antique Outboarder - July, 1988
The above links to an interesting article that may describe the earliest outboard.. 1906.. i zoomed in on the picture on the cover of the magazine to try and see the tiller.. I did not.. what i did see was the operator appearing to have his right hand on some sort of cable of line.. the article does mention a rudder... the plot thickens!!
http://www.aomci.org/oldarticles/apr1916.jpg

also an interesting historic time line here
http://www.huntsmarine.com.au/history-outboard-motor/

[Tacmed]

This is a serious question? Use your brains and sit on the other side

[s/v Jedi]

For all you non-believers, here is another right-handed outboard: