Left or Right handed

Swifty · 24 February 2005, 18:42

As a passing thought,

Given the choice, whilst mounting your outboard control unit, which side of the console would it go, assuming the cables etc could go either side. And secondly are you left or right handed?

Personally I would probably go left handed as I am right handed.
My boat is a left hander.

Tim'mers.

John Kennett · 24 February 2005, 19:57

My personal choice is for the throttle on the right. I am right handed.

There isn't really a right ot a wrog way though, and some people prefer it the other way round.

Here are a couple of older discussions about it:

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=612
http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4679

Hope it helps!

John

Louise · 24 February 2005, 20:00

Swifty, we're with you on that one. When looking around at boats to buy, one of the things on Richard's list was a centre-mounted throttle with right hand steering wheel (ie. throttle to the left of the wheel). We both get on well with this set up, and both of us are right-handed.

Having said that, I think it really does come down to personal preference.

swginn · 24 February 2005, 20:48

Left hand throttle for me too (I'm also right handed). Its definitely a personal preference, but I find it to be comparative to driving a car, right hand on wheel and left hand on gearstick. Had to drive a right hand throttle setup for a weekend this summer though and to be honest I didn't even notice after the first hour. There really is no argument for either, so go with whatever is the most comfortable. I would worry more about its position, ie: you should not have to reach for the throttle as this compromises your control.

Tim M · 24 February 2005, 20:56

Throttle on the right for me (and I'm right handed!)

Andy · 24 February 2005, 21:33

Left .. I am right handed. In big sea with cable steering my right arm was the strongest and best choice for the wheel ... heavy going!!

No I have hydraulic steering its not as much of an issue but I am used the to left now.

Nasher · 24 February 2005, 21:56

I'm in the middle of removing my outboard remotes that are mounted on the Right hand side of my double width console, and replacing them with a surface mounted lever placed in the centre of the console. ie on the left of the steering wheel. Plus I've made up a seperate ignition and kill switch panel. I'm convinced this will be more comfortable and with my side by side jockey seat arrangement will give me better access to the controls when my kids or guests are driving. I'm a right hooker by the way.

Nasher.

Bilge Rat · 24 February 2005, 22:09

I'm ambidextrous, i can drive with my left, right or middle arm

crazydonkey · 24 February 2005, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilge Rat

I'm ambidextrous, i can drive with my left, right or middle arm

eh up bilgey rat, i can drive wi me middle leg, but then i am hung like a donkey!

TIM M do you mean the film, the band or the drugs???

Scotty · 24 February 2005, 23:18

This thread sounds like a masonic lodge meeting

Simon Hawkins · 25 February 2005, 00:06

It is a matter of choice. Thinking logically we are all people of habit. Therefore consider how you would drive your car. You change gear with the left hand and use the right hand to steer the car. i think this is why on most boats the throttle is central and left of the helm position.

Seaharrier · 25 February 2005, 07:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Hawkins

It is a matter of choice. Thinking logically we are all people of habit. Therefore consider how you would drive your car. You change gear with the left hand and use the right hand to steer the car. i think this is why on most boats the throttle is central and left of the helm position.

Sorry dude, but not the whole world drives his car at the wrong side of the road like in the uk.

Throttle at the left side. So there can be e helmsman and a throttle man.

Paul Beaurain · 26 February 2005, 07:58

When you have a guest or 'junior' at the wheel having access to the throttle in the centre is prefered. It helps greatly to build their confidence and gives you piece of mind!

Having said that the wheel I guess could be either side

Kernow Buoy · 26 February 2005, 09:49

left hand throttle seems natural but then again as that's where mine is it would do, if it was on the right that would probably feel natural too.
Have a look on the pic attached, the trim button is on the left hand side of the throttle, now I know some of us Cornish boys can be a little different (leave it Eddo!) but when sitting on the console holding the throttle my thumb is on the inside of my left hand and not the outside, surely that throttle's fitted the wrong way around ? To trim at speed is a partial release of the throttle to bend my little finger around the outside of the control, not ideal in any lumpy stuff, is it possible to have that throttle arm rotated or is there a reason it's that way around?
Kernow

John Kennett · 26 February 2005, 10:21

Hold the throttle at the side (like you hold a hammer) not at the top. You'll have much better control, and can use the top edge of your index finger to nudge the trim button without changing your grip.

John

Action Man · 26 February 2005, 12:51

Left hand side and im right handed

Daniel TD5 · 26 February 2005, 13:02

my rib is just in having my control box changed over to the right not due to use
but incorrect fitting when the boat was set up i could bang my knee on the the choke and stall it the angle was wrong due to a lower locker stopping the box being angled down so its being changed

my old rib had the remotes on the right

dan

Nick Hearne · 26 February 2005, 13:22

Have mine on the left & I'm right handed, I do like to stand to the port side of the console when driving in harbor or at slow speeds!

Simon B · 28 February 2005, 09:48

Just seen your post Kernow, our boat is rigged exactly the same and this perplexed me, I've seen other boats like this. Does that mean there are a lot of boats rigged thrttle on the right with a trim switch on the right looks pretty not so easy to use.

Swifty · 28 February 2005, 10:48

Many thanks for your thoughts. This all came around after a chat with daniel TD5, who was about to move his controller.
It would make sense if the manufacturers could make the trim switch reversable as well as the throttle lever. I would like to be able to trim with the thumb! But I suppose I should be grateful they put it on the throttle in the first place.

Tim'mers.