Why is it on the right side in smaller boats. I looked on line and the most common explanation is that it is due to the toque of the engine. Seems plausible but I don't know. I am curious if that is the real reason.

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That makes no sense....as the steering on most boats is cable driven and it would make no difference which side they put the steering console on....

British guy at a boat company got his way in a debate?

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It makes sense to me -- the driver's weight is on the right side, and might help keep the craft from "tipping" when throttle is suddenly applied. Whether or not it's true I have no idea, but it's an interesting theory.

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That is most of what I have read says. The torque of the propeller twists the boat up on the right and the driver is the ballast.

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- With out god, life is everything.
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- You can pray for me, I'll think for you.
- When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

You got me wondering, too, and I found this:

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/43031

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The reason it is on the right side is the fact that any vessel approaching from the right side (dead ahead to two points aft of the starboard beam) has right of way. Putting the operating controls on the right side allows greater visibility to the more dangerous side.

Of course, operators of small vessels pay no attention to the rules of the road anyway, so the entire point is moot.

So no truth to the ballast argument? Sounds like there are lots of very confused boat folks out there, then. I did see the "right side has right-of-way" argument referenced, but the ballast issue came up more often. Guess that's the internet for ya.

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The ballast argument is a bit weak. A large outboard with 200 hp would only generate torque of about 175 lb-ft. This is negligible on a 25 foot boat. If a 175 lb. person stood one foot displaced from the centerline of the boat, the torque effect is the same. You wouldn't be able to observe any heel on a boat of that size with such a moment.

Of course, if you found a very lightweight boat with a very heavy and slow turning diesel, the numbers would change.......but, I doubt such a vessel exists.

So true. And for many larger vessels as well. I'm surprised there aren't more collisions.

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Did we ever get our "Boat" load of blivets in from China yet?

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Has our blivet business turned a profit yet?

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I could tell you stories for days................

I've been on sailboats all of my life and there are two choices a tiller or a wheel and the wheel is always in the center of the cockpit. as for stink-pots I couldn't tell you.

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Back in the early days boats were long and thin, and to go fast you needed big airplane motors, usually V12's left over from WW1.

These motors created a lot of torque so the helmsman was put on the starboard side to help counteract it.

As the story goes, its probably BS.



As they got bigger it just kind of stayed that way.

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