General discussion

[seabreez]

Steering wheels

I was stuck for an answer when someone asked me why are steering wheels mostly on the starboard side on most vessels? Some are in the center on sailboats. Do you ever see them on the port side?

Thanks for your replies... Roger

[44'cruisingcat]

You have to give way to boats approaching from the starboard side, so it makes sense to have better visibility on that side.


We have helms on both sides, but engine controls are on the starboard side.

[TurninTurtle]

Essentially... the British owned the seas for a couple of centuries and set the rules of the road.

So you're driving on the left side of the road when in a boat.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by TurninTurtle

Essentially... the British owned the seas for a couple of centuries and set the rules of the road.

So you're driving on the left side of the road when in a boat.

Passing Port to Port ?
Keeping to the right hand side of the channel?

[tenchiki]

Probably that it is more important to see the side of the channel than the vessels coming down the other side, given the prevailing channel rules.

And around here, given the prevailing winds, you dock starboard side to the local fuel dock...