Do any ya'all know?

[HillbillyBassR]

Any ya rascels no why all the dang gum boat builders put the steering wheel of a bote on the rite side of the bote instead of thu left like my truck? Always wundered about that. :-?

[KU_Bassmaster.]

In Eurpoe they are on the left ;D. Nope I have no idea. I've always kind of wondered that my self. I bet there is some reason from way back in the day.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Whatever they do,..I hope they don't put it in the middle where it belongs! lol

Actually, I think someone did.  

I love driving my center console boats.  You really feel like you're in the driver's seat (even though you are standing)

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Whatever they do,..I hope they don't put it in the middle where it belongs! lol

Actually, I think someone did.

I love driving my center console boats. You really feel like you're in the driver's seat (even though you are standing)

I think Nitro and Ranger (?) each came out with center console bass boats.  Lots of wasted space, but kind of cool looking.

[roadwarrior]

My fishing partner bought a 2180 Bay Ranger last year. It's really too big to fish much by yourself and it's not the perfect "bass boat". It is, however the "perfect fishing boat". We usually have guests and my buddy guides a little. Half the year we're striper fishermen. Fishing in the "boils" requires moving around the boat, a lot. I assure you, the space is not wasted.

It's a great boat for some guys, and I'm one of them.

[senile1]

Well, I found this answer at this link:  http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdriveboat.html.

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.

Upon further research, I found this at http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/43031.

Before boats had rudders on their centerline, boats were steered by use of a specialized oar. This oar was held by a sailor located towards the stern (back) of the boat. However, like most of the rest of society, there were many more right-handed sailors than left-handed sailors. This meant that the right-handed sailors holding the steering oar (which had been broadened to provide better control) used to stand on the right side of the boat. The word starboard is a corruption of steering board, which in turn came from the old Norse language word stýri, in the language of the vikings.

So I guess the last quote is saying we put the steering wheel on the same side as the side where most sailors steered from in ancient days.  

[just_another_newbe]

saw a new nitro at bass pro the other day, it had more or less a center console with the steering on the left. I must say, that was one cool looking boat.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Here's what I was talking about:

Notice the wheel on the left. I kind of actually like the design of this. It does have a little room in between the console and the deck. The one I remember seeing in person, the console went right up to the deck. So while that boat looks pretty cool, it's still not fisherman friendly IMO.

When I say "wasted" space, I am talking about traditional bass boats like the one in the pic. If you look at the boat, it's pretty difficult to get from the front deck to the back (livewell and to net a fish) and vice versa (net man). Where as if it were traditional you just walk right down center which is a lot more open than the sides of this boat. I am also not a real big fan of dual console boats. Single console boats just seem more roomy. But that's my opinion. Everybody has one, so that's why they make more than one model.

[Hot Rod]

It might have something to do with keeping the pilot closer to the shallow side of the boat. For example when you are navigating a chanel the appropriate color buoy is suppose to be on your right. You know the old 3 R's. So the right side of the boat would more often than not be closest to the bank. Therefore, the pilot would always be on the shallowest side where he could see any obsticles/skinny water which would more likely be on that side of the boat.

Quote:

"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. "

Maybe it was just to give them old "healthy size" sailors some extra PT. I know I get plenty of extra excercise running circles around my boat/trailer at the ramp before I launch it, which is usually by myself. If the controls where on the same side as my truck I'd just have to walk straight back to put the keys in the boat ignition and flip the main power switch so she was ready to launch.

Whatever the reason, it is a pain.

I think the most important part of the boat should be in the center where it is best protected, that's why I got one with the cooler right in the middle between the consoles!!!   ;D

[Toddn76]

I know Triton made a center console bass boat...Looks awesome! ;D

[cart7t]

Darris Allison makes a few