Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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Will you buy this explanation?
"Boat propellers turn clockwise, sez Leon, and hulls used to be designed in such a way that when there was torque on the prop, the right side of the
boat would rise up. So the wheel was put on the right, so the weight of these "healthy sized" fishermen would counteract that. As long as they didn't
put the beer cooler on the left, which would throw everything off. This is not a problem with modern hulls, but the design stuck. Racing boats,
however usually have the wheel on the left, like American cars. I was impressed by his answer, but preceded to call the rest of the boat shops in the
book (my favorite name: Castles Afloat Houseboats). Partly to confirm Leon's answer, and partly to show up these zen boat guys who seem satisfied that
things is how they is because that's how they is. Get a sense of curiosity, boys."
Don't shoot me, I just the messenger
Anyone out there going for the above?
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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It goes way back to the Vikings. Most folks steered with their right hands so the tiller or rudder was placed on the right or "steering side".
Starboard is the modern version of Steor, which means steering paddle or rudder, and bord, which meant the side of a ship.
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BillP
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Posts: 420
Registered: 1-28-2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
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Howard, That's the way I've heard it explained many times. The reason race boats are on the left is they usually have a "V" drive which makes the prop
turn the opposite direction.
Your mileage may vary.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BillP
Howard, That's the way I've heard it explained many times. The reason race boats are on the left is they usually have a "V" drive which makes the prop
turn the opposite direction.
Your mileage may vary. |
I thought race boats were on the left for balance in the traditional left hand turn around the mark. Kind of like hiking-out while turning a hydro.
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BillP
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Posts: 420
Registered: 1-28-2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by BillP
Howard, That's the way I've heard it explained many times. The reason race boats are on the left is they usually have a "V" drive which makes the prop
turn the opposite direction.
Your mileage may vary. |
I thought race boats were on the left for balance in the traditional left hand turn around the mark. Kind of like hiking-out while turning a hydro.
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Maybe so, my race boat experience is all on flatbottom drag boats
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BillP
Maybe so, my race boat experience is all on flatbottom drag boats |
Yeah....turning at speed in one of those things would be counter-productive, for sure.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
It goes way back to the Vikings. Most folks steered with their right hands so the tiller or rudder was placed on the right or "steering side".
Starboard is the modern version of Steor, which means steering paddle or rudder, and bord, which meant the side of a ship. |
This I heard before too, by a few old timers.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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