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Does it matter what side of the boat the wheel goes on? I have seen it on both, but notice many glen l builders are placing it on the port side, and I have always seen it placed on the starboard side of a boat. Is this just personal preferance or is there some sort of reasoning for different wheel placement?


Thanks,
Mike

The "rule" I have been told is to put the helm on the side of the prop rotation. The thought process is that the weight of the helm and "captain" will offset the prop torque. ie RH rotation= RH helm.

Now I know somebody will chime in to correct this so my caveat is out "this is what I have been told"

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Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

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Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

The other "rule" ... often considered for inboards.... is that the helm is opposite the prop rotation.

The logic on this one is that when you reverse to slow or stop your boat, the rear end is pulled sideways in the opposite direction of your normal prop rotation.

So... for example... I run a LH prop. When I throw it into reverse, my stern pulls to the right. When I am docking, that's the side of the boat I want to be on so that I can fend off, or grab the edge of the dock without leaving the controls.

_________________
Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

I didnt know either of those general rules. Learn something new almost every day here.

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"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

One rule for high speed performance... one rule for low speed control... unfortunately, they are opposite...

(remember, the low speed one only applies to straight-shaft inboards)

_________________
Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

Rule #2 is about performance!

Rule #3 is about low speed manuvering!

Rule #1 is: That's where my wife wanted it

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

.. and what Lola wants, Lola gets.

_________________
Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

And, if I don't really care... It's not a battle worth fighting

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

Well I have learned a lot! Thanks for the informative replies, now I will be able to argue about which side the wheel goes on and not rely 100% on b.s.

Irrelevant for performance... the origins of the helm on the starboard side harken back to the nordic sailors, and viking longboats. Since the helmsman was usually right hand dominant, the rudder/steering oar was placed to maximize his control. The word "Starboard" is a corruption of the old english "steorbord" meaning steering board.


Ya, useless info at best.

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Some plan to stroll through Saint Peter's Gates, I plan to go through them at 150mph... backwards... in a screaming ball of flame, with a glimmer belt wrapped around my head, and a NOx button in my hand.

No, that was cool information that I really appreciate!

Like wise, Left/Port was the side away from the steering board since you didn't want to break the steering board against the dock.

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build