D-Class Lifeboat

[andreworiordan]

Does anyone know why the driver sits on the Right? every picture i have seen of the D-Class the guy driving is always on the Right. Why is this?? I have a similar size boat and engine but i always sit on the left on the sponsons...

[Biggles]

Okay,

First stab at making an idiot of myself.

I'm guessing but maybe because he can hold on with his right hand better if it gets rough.

There is probably a technical explanation. Possibly to counter the natural torque of the engine.

Maybe all RNLI drivers are lefthanded !

[ian parkes]

sitting on the right the throttle rolls backwards/ towards you as on a motorbike .
Sitting on the left the throttle twists away from you which for me anyway felt wrong and I couldn't control it properly .
Also depends what side of the motor the tiller is mounted on , most are on the rhs I think so its a longer stretch sitting on the left tube ??From memory i haven't driven a sib since last year

[martini]

I'm right handed and always sit on the right on tiller steered boats!
I think the gears are always on the right too

[SeaSkills]

Tiller is actually on the left. Sitting on the opposite side, and using the left hand to drive, allows a greater range of movement - especially in a hard turn to port when you can swing the tiller behind you. Also allows easier co-ordination of throttle and gears (on starboard side of engine) in astern

[codprawn]

I always sit on the left with a tiller as I am right handed I find it much easier to steer with my proper hand!!!

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Tiller is actually on the left. Sitting on the opposite side, and using the left hand to drive, allows a greater range of movement - especially in a hard turn to port when you can swing the tiller behind you. Also allows easier co-ordination of throttle and gears (on starboard side of engine) in astern

Yes i got mixed up there after looking at the pics of Andrew.s boat .

If you turn sharply to the right while sitting on the left the tiller is too far to the left so your hand is sort of behind you and harder to controll .
I guess it also depends on the size of the boat , there is more choice wih a bigger boat .

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Okay,

First stab at making an idiot of myself.

!

Nick
You Idiot

[TonyC]

I've always driven tiller steared boats sitting on the starboard side of the boat. for one (as others have pointed out) the gears are on the starboard side of the engine, and I feel you have greater control over the engine. I always teach that you sit on the starboard side too.

Mind you, there are always times when sitting on the port side are advantagous, though usually in a rescue situation (i.e. towing a boat alongside while capsised - was doing this today ) - though after many years of driving using both, it still feels very wierd driving on the port side when I do it

[Tim M]

Starboard for me too....

[SeaSkills]

Just a comment - although a lot of people refer to "sitting" on the side of the boat (whether port or starboard) note that the lifeboat guys kneel on the floor rather than sit on the tubes. That keeps their centre of gravity lower and keeps them safer within the enclosed space.

Having been thrown almost out of a D Class on one particularly bouncy shout a few years ago (as crew, not driving), and grabbed by the legs and pulled back aboard by the other crew as I headed seawards, I can recommend the technique!

[DGR]

I always helm the D-Class from the starboard side. The tiller being on the left means that you have much better range of movement at close quarters - I find it much more difficult when sitting on the port side, and it's difficult to get the engine over to anywhere near full lock.

Having said that, it might also be habit - I drive my RIB from the starboard side too - but the steering wheel is on that side........

[Gray]

Originally Posted by andreworiordan

but i always sit on the left on the sponsons...

You won't find them sitting on the sponsons very often. They are always inside of the boat. So sitting on the tiller side would make manouevering quite awkward, especially if there's a fourth crew member or casualty on board as room gets a little tight!

[bobbyjoeufb]

I was always taught and teach to helm the boat sitting or crouching on the starboard side. Due to the throttle being off centre and closer to the gear selector.

However when I got my zapcat it was set up for helming on the port side with the foot straps on the starboard tanks, took a bit of getting used to but the central tiller and damper help.

[m chappelow]

owned a d class few years ago but wonderd why they fit the compass on the starboard sponson its hard keeping a course looking at it 45 deg .