Why are Outboards Made to be Operated with the Left Hand?

[StuM]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

For all you non-believers, here is another right-handed outboard:

You sure about that?

[Tacmed]

Originally Posted by Tacmed

This is a serious question? Use your brains and sit on the other side

Ooops... i just realised, we cant all sit on the same side. The coriolis effect would make us go in circles.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

For all you non-believers, here is another right-handed outboard:

If I'm not mistaken. that is the Dutch Lifeboat Societie's special ambidextrous shoal water vehicle.
Either version allows these Dutch boys to insert any finger in the dyke.
[emoji1]

[darylat8750]

Pilots fly airplanes from the right side when they are First Officers, left side when Captains. It takes very little practice for the physical manipulation skills. Most of the work is done with the eyes and brain. I sit on the tube on which ever side keeps me driest.

[Jim Cate]

I sit on the tube on which ever side keeps me driest.

HA... an important point that we've neglected so far. A bit of ambidexterity is a good skill to develop.

Jim

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by StuM

You sure about that?

Now you will find your mind blown; open the link below and scroll down for a reverse image search... and you'll find I posted original, not mirrored :-)

This really is a right-hand outboard!

https://www.google.com/search?tbs=sb...6PfDm8tg&hl=en

[thruska]

Originally Posted by Suijin

As a lefty I appreciate the one product on the planet designed for me. So all you whiners can go back to your scissors, three ring binders, ball point pens, number pads on your keyboards, one-piece school desks, can openers, CC swipers (always mounted angled right), measuring tapes (numbers are upside down for lefties) and stop complaining!

Lol haha ,i was thinking pretty much the same.

[TeddyDiver]

Skipped the pages 2 to 6 but to answer the OP outboards were designed for real boats not inflatables. Sitting straight facing forward there's no problem steering with either your left or right arm..


BR Teddy

[buzzstar]

I admit I no longer remember (or is it care?) if either the outboard or the operator is right or left handed. This is true if I am the operator or a passenger on an a boat with an outboard, but it would also be true if I were in a rubber ducky outfit with the outboard attached to a plastic swim ring which I had managed to enter while on shore. This would sound snarky if there were no photo of the rubber duck outfit as previously posted.

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I've always seated myself on the port tube and driven with my right hand on the tiller and throttle. Why would you not do so? Works fine for me!

Jim

I'm totally with you on this Jim. In fact, I make anyone driving my tender do it this way also. For me it has to do with being able to wedge my feet over to the other tube and keep my arm in a good position on the tiller. It's pretty easy to have a large outboard overpower you.

If it's a small tender and small dingy, then who cares I guess.

[Scott Berg]

I drive left and throw right... ;-)

[44'cruisingcat]

Ha! 100 posts! My wife owes me $5!

[JPA Cate]

It's daily life for some of us, it's an issue we care about!

A.

[buzzstar]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

It's daily life for some of us, it's an issue we care about!

A.

?

Usually sit on one tube, steer with one hand, and hold on to rope with the other, but when I get tired I may switch tubes, and definitely change hands. I am not near the boat or the inflatable dink now so I am not sure with which and I usually or always start. I tend to think it depends on where I am headed and where I get on the dink.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

It's daily life for some of us, it's an issue we care about!

A.

Sure. And being CF, there's always going to be loads of opinions, references to cars, aircraft, bicycles, horses etc...... hence 100 posts....

Anyway, it's fixed on our dinghy, you drive from a seat, facing forward. Much more comfortable and safer IMO.