Southern Ski Boats Blog: Bloglines - How Are Boats Steered?

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How Are Boats Steered?

By Southern Boats on Steering

Different kinds of boats are steered by various means. A tiller-steered boat is operated on an outboard motor with the steering mechanism attached directly to the motor and the propellers. A large powerboat with an inboard motor is steered like a car by way of a steering wheel that is attached to a rudder. A sailboat is steered with a wheel as well, but utilizes the sails and the rudder to move in different directions. Various designs are incorporated into the three basic steering designs to provide even more options for steering.

Power tiller steering is manufactured by Engine Steer and utilizes a hydraulic component that replaces the throttle on outboard motors and adds two inches to the tiller handle, providing easier operation that doesn't strain the driver and allows for more maneuverability. By moving the tiller handle in the direction that you want to boat to go in, electrically powered hydraulics move the propellers in the direction turned. The tiller locks in place to free the driver for fishing or other activities when no turning is required. Other steering operations include hydraulics attached to the cables that make steering easier on large vessels.

The steering wheel of a powerboat is connected to the rudder by a series of cables. When the wheel is turned, the rudder moves and water rushes off the sides of the submerged rudder to direct the movement of the boat. Even if an engine quits, a moving boat can be steered using a rudder. It's the motion of the boat that causes the pressure. Rudders are controlled on sailboats through a steering wheel as well. Because of the sails however, the wheels must be turned in the opposite direction to where you want to turn. On a powerboat, if you want to turn right, you move the wheel to the right, just like in a car. On a sailboat, if you want to turn right, you turn the wheel to the left and allow the wind to work with the rudder to propel you in the direction you desire.

A jet drive is like an internal propeller. It pulls in water and air and pushes the water out to turn the boat. By releasing the jet drive on the port, or left side, of the boat, you can turn the watercraft in that direction. Jet drives are primarily used on small, fast boats. Jet drives are used on larger boats in conjunction with cable and hydraulic steering units to add extra power to the steering capabilities when needed. Jet drives can only be used for forward movement and turns. Bow thrusters can add momentum when backing up into docks or other small areas as required.