ENGINE ROTATION LOOK & LEARN

Tim D wrote: I thought the steering wheel is on the right because the rules on the water for meeting other boats is opposite than that of driving cars.

Tim, traditionally, I believe you are correct, another residual of shipping. However, here in California, the navigation rules provide that passing vessels shall pass to the port side. I believe the rules are similar on inland waterways throughout the US(ICBW). Again, seems more about custom and tradition than anything else.BKH

jimbo wrote: I've heard that. My thought is always why not put the driver on the other side and leave the rotation standard.

You know, I've wondered that too. I did some research and never found the answer, but I have a theory.

My theory: the starboard steering wheel goes back to English Shipping. English shipping pretty much set the standards for the world.
As I understand it, the wheelhouses were located on the starboard side because the ships docked and unloaded to that side. Right hand steering wheels became the defacto standard as boating developed.

Then my theory goes on: In the early days of slalom skiing, skiers actually did not cross the wake. Rather, they skied to one side of the wake. Buoys were a single line spaced evenly, and the skier merely skied around the balls. As I understand it, speed was increased until the skier no longer could make it through the "course." All of the pictures I've seen, seem to show the skier on the port side of the boat, opposite the driver.

One practical reason for not changing to port side steering is that most people are right handed, and operate the throttle with the right hand. Another is that it has become custom to pass clockwise around the turn island in a slalom course (driver closest to the island).

Of course, all this could be BS.

I just find it funny that all my friends with standard rotation boats, do nothing but complain when they drive the Nautique because this thing "backs up the wrong way" or "I can't dock this thing." On the other hand, I've never met a Nautique owner who has any trouble jumping in a standard rotation boat and driving it without issue. BKH

BK,
I've heard the very same explanation before about pulling the boat away from the skier (to portside)...interesting.

In Texas, you still don't have to have an observer if you have at least a 4 x 4 mirror!

I'm not sure if anyone really knows the answer. The most popular theory I've read is that the Clockwise (reverse) rotation engines counteract the weight of the driver when under power and make the boat ride level. In the day of 16 ft inboards, before spotters were required, this makes some sense. In dual engine boats, traditionally, a clockwise engine was used on one side, and a counter clockwise on the other. Again, this makes sense in terms of keeping these boats balanced. Today, most dual screw boats use gears to reverse the prop rotation, but the motors are built in standard rotation.

As a matter of practicality, it typically accepted that you should cirlce or pick up a downed skier to the drivers (starboard) side of the boat. If the need to reverse arises, a reverse engine motor will pull the rear end to the port, keeping the prop away from the skier. In other words, reverse rotation is safer than standard rotation in that regard. BKH

I sent a copy to Keith so he could put it on the reference page.

Jim,

Welcome to the site....and hello nieghbor! We are in Decatur! there are quite a few of us from IL.
BTW...do you know Jeff Loftus?

This may be obvious, but the rotation of the prop (caused by the engine rotation) is what causes the stern of the boat to "walk" one way or the other when in reverse. Water flow is restricted between the prop and hull (above the prop), so the boat will walk to starboard with the left hand rotation and port with the right hand rotation. Mine walks to port.

This is handy when docking (easier to dock on the port if your boat walks to port), and when turning around in a tight spot (easier to turn the boat around to starboard). You can turn the boat around in its own length by keeping the wheel turned (to starboard in the left hand case) and alternating fwd and rev.

Sorry if this is obvious.

Finally! Thanks Tim...I have a manual for each of my engines and they say the same....and when you crank um...thats how they spin!

AND...as you can see...rh rotation is reverse from auto...and referred to as a reverse rotation!

Good job my man!