[nauru]

Of course, a traditional steering wheel ship will maintain the standard boat wheel design but on smaller vessels, they’re less used. Traditional ship wheels were made of strong wood and were round in shape. They were designed to control the ship without having to leave the top deck. Captains would turn the wheel in the direction they wanted to sail, and the boat’s rudder would change course. It was a fairly simple form of sailing and while modern boats differ slightly, the premise remains the same. more

[melvster]

Most people think of boat steering wheels like the ones seen in pirate movies. It’s a classic design made entirely out of wood with interior spokes. These types of wheels were big and were sometimes a two-man effort. Traditional ship wheels were advanced for the time; in comparison, they can’t compete with the engineering and hydraulic abilities of today. It’s fascinating and in the years ahead, technology will make boats smarter with fewer controls required. more

[swinewine]

Some may also refer to the ship’s wheel as the helm. In modern maritime, the helm is the more common phrase associated with the steering wheel. While some old-timers still refer to the wheel as the boat or ship’s wheel, it’s fairly rare. As said, most will call it the helm and it’s the more modern terminology too. However, the helm can come in many forms, including a toggle or console rather than a traditional or rounded steering wheel. more

[otiffanipacey]

What is the proper name for the steering wheel ship? Unless you’re familiar with the various sailing terminology, it can be difficult to know the proper names for each part of a ship or boat. It’s tricky to understand the various terms too because there are the proper names that experienced sailors refer to, as well as slang and common phrases used. Most inexperienced sailors would refer to the steering wheel as the boat wheel; others would say it’s a steering wheel.

[thomascaulk]

Who would think there would be 32 boat shops and marine dealers in Albuquerque, New Mexico? I know, because I called most of them. Got enlightening answers to the question about the steering wheel like, “Because that is how boats are made.” “So you can look over the side of the boat.” That last person realized how stupid she sounded, so put me on hold for awhile to compose herself before referring me to someone who said, “More control on the throttle for right handed people.” I didn’t buy that for a second. I bet Cecil wouldn’t, either. [links]

[TarotUnlimited]

Finally I got a hold of Leon at Western Boat Store & Prop Shop, who actually knew. 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 proceeded 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.

[davidpbrown]

The “wrong” side? Not if you’re British, Japanese, or (east) Indian, you ethnocentric pig. Interestingly, though, even in countries where people drive cars on the left, boats enter and leave harbors in the right lane. I don’t know why, but I don’t have to, because that wasn’t your question. My co-worker Mark, who tends to make shit up, says this has been true since the time of the Phoenician ships. Go figure. here

[Naniscegine]

Dear Straight Dope: Why are boat steering wheels on the "wrong side?" IMJULEK

more

[someotherguy]

We know from history that, even two thousand years ago, it was important to have order in transport. Until recently, scientists were debating whether the Romans, masters in the construction of stone roads and organisers of massive troop marches, drove and walked on the right or the left. The ingenious network of important roadways over the sprawling empire suggested that clear rules had to be applied in this strategically important area long before the first traffic signs and traffic lights were invented. Ruts worn into a stone road, discovered by archaeologists near a major Roman quarry, clearly showed who was correct: those who had contended that the Romans drove on the left. The deeper ruts, made by heavily laden vehicles as they drove away from the quarry, were on the left side of the road. Coincidentally, this fundamental discovery was made – where else? – in England, specifically near Swindon. here

[skinnyp83]

ŠKODA introduced an interesting feature in the second-generation SUPERB (2008-2015) in response to whether it was right-hand or left-hand drive. With AFS bi-xenon headlights, it was already possible, a decade ago, to switch the luminous flux to right/left-hand drive via a simple user change directly in the trip computer thanks to the headlamps’ modern design. Not only did it simplify the production, but the owners of these cars also avoided the inelegant obligation to put stickers on their headlights when driving from the Continent to the UK or vice versa. These headlamp stickers stopped oncoming traffic from being dazzled. here

[KristofN1]

A s far as the English are concerned, there are no ifs and buts about it when they drive a car: the steering wheel belongs on the right. For most of the world, though, the steering wheel’s on the left. How are the design and development of vehicles different when the steering wheel is on the other side?

[rjebro]

A curious discovery from a bygone era here

[Morkelkhan]

Today, roughly a third of the world’s countries, including India and Japan, drive on the left in cars with steering wheels on the right. Why did the others decide to do the opposite? And what are the consequences for carmakers?

[Wraith]

One reason to place steering consoles on the right sides in boats is the right-handedness of most people. Drivers find it convenient if a steering wheel is in their right hand. Another factor that determines this choice is to balance a driver’s weight. Prop torque is usually counteracted by utilizing this factor. However, these are not the only reasons for placing a boat’s steering panel on the right side. According to certain global regulations too, a boat’s steering needs to be on right. This is done to control the traffic on sea. here

[Michael33]

When you go on a beach holiday, you might like to drive a boat on seawaters. If you have already driven a powerboat, then you may have noticed that it offers you a right-side driving console. Have you ever thought why boats have their steering wheel on the right side? While you may have driven a car with its steering on left, you will need to drive a boat that has steering on right. Is it the convenience right steering offers or something else that drives this choice? Check out the reason why you find a boat’s steering console on the right side. here

[joe]

In addition, keeping steering on right also helps in preventing any boat collisions. In older days, there used to be a steering oar to drive a boat. Keeping it on the right side also prevented it from damage. Right side steering consoles used to help in keeping a better track of the approaching traffic from other directions. Later, this placement of steering consoles became a norm when the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea gave its directions. However, some small boats are still allowed to place their steering panels on the left side. This exception is made for providing a better view of approaching traffic to those small boat drivers.

[kavindave26]

here

[Broggly]

[vhaugn143niels]

BITD boats didn't have rudders in the center, but side-hung rudders.

[daemox]

For some reason, it became tradition to "always" put the rudder on the right side of the boat.

[buybacklinks.seos]

"Right" on boats is called "starboard" - the side where the steering board was.