Throttle position on console

Chris.C · 25 April 2010, 20:40

I have just bought a rib with a centre console that has a left hand throttle unit mounted on the right hand side of the console. The bracket used to mount it on the right is not very pretty and I'm considering mouting it on the left where it will look a lot better. I was just wondering why most throttes are mounted on the right. Is it better to steer with your left and control throttle with your right if you are right handed? Thanks, chris

chewy · 25 April 2010, 21:02

Mines on the left side and I can control it fine.
Most are probably on the right so you can control the trim and tilt with your thumb?

Nasher · 25 April 2010, 21:04

You're right that most boats do seam to be set up with the throttle on the Right.

It comes down to personal chioce, and what feels comfortable to you.
I think if you have the choice when specifying, building, or re-building a boat it should be something to consider carefully, unfortunately some don't and end up with an awkward driving position.

Although I'm right handed, I prefer to steer with my right hand and throttle with my left, so on my double console with steering on the Starboard side I changed from a control unit mounted on the starboard outer edge of the console to a top mounted one in the middle.

Nasher.

Cypman · 25 April 2010, 21:11

Many boats are rigged with the steering position to starboard, which will put the console mounted control on the left, or if a side mounted control, it will be on the right!!!
What I am saying is it doesn't really matter, the same way as we adjust to the LHD hire car on holiday we can cope with left or right hand steering.
The only advice I would give when locating the control box is to ensure it is positioned fairly close to the wheel so there is no stretching to operate it when it is in the forward gear full throttle position. Additionally, ensure full movement in forward and reverse, and finally, make sure you can rest your hand/wrist on a firm surface whilst holding the control in forward gear. This makes driving in the lumpy stuff much easier.

9D280 · 26 April 2010, 10:27

If I'm reading this right, you have an ugly bit of bracketry to hold your throttle on the RHS of your console?

The levers on the side mount boxes will unbolt and fit on either side of the box. The only result is if you do it that way, (move the lever for RHS of jockey mount) you see the "back" of the body of the remotes, whioch is very slightly less aesthetic than the "front", but by the sounds of things will be marginally neater than what you have at the moment.

As Chewy says, the only real pain is by fitting it "conventionally" is that the trim switch is on the "wrong" side for thumb operation.

BogMonster · 26 April 2010, 11:26

Mine had a right hand throttle mounted on the left side of the console, as you say not a very pretty arrangement but I like left handed throttle.

One thing I did like about it was that the trim switch fell naturally under the thumb rather than being on the 'wrong' side as with a 'nomal' installation. Guess I will get used to that little annoyance, the new boat is having a LH throttle.

chewy · 26 April 2010, 13:28

I would have liked my throttle on the right but mounted a hatch before measuring!
Having it on the left is no great hardship and I got use to it straightaway, I don't have PTT so thats not an issue for me.

Chris.C · 26 April 2010, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

If I'm reading this right, you have an ugly bit of bracketry to hold your throttle on the RHS of your console?

The levers on the side mount boxes will unbolt and fit on either side of the box. The only result is if you do it that way, (move the lever for RHS of jockey mount) you see the "back" of the body of the remotes, whioch is very slightly less aesthetic than the "front", but by the sounds of things will be marginally neater than what you have at the moment.

As Chewy says, the only real pain is by fitting it "conventionally" is that the trim switch is on the "wrong" side for thumb operation.

Yes that's right - I was worried someone on here might say that mounting it on the left was bad news and I'd de-value my rib in someway by swapping the side but now it seems it's just down to preference and practicality, I think I'll probably do it. The only problem I have now is the gear and throttle cables are getting close to their movement limits (length) when I try the outboard on full lock and the throttle is held in place on the left. If I could route them through the console (which is a outhill jc12t) I will get an extra 10-15cm or so.

It's this, or I get 3 small stainless brackets made to mount the throttle on the right keeping it off the console the right distance - as you say, I then have a nasty looking plastic backing plate exposed. A right handed throttle is over £300!!

Thanks for all the replies

TonyC · 26 April 2010, 20:08

The majority of RIBS I use & have used have LH mounted throttles, and it's what I prefer - but it doesnt make much difference as people have said, it depends on what you're used to and whats comfortable.

Downhilldai · 26 April 2010, 20:19

I like the controls on the right side and I suppose this is due to driving hardboats in a previous life which were always rigged with controls on that side.
I've always thought that RIB riggers put the control box on the port hand side of jockey consoles 'cos they couldn't be arsed with re-configuring the throttle lever on the opposite side of the control box.