On Fri, 1 Jun 2007 18:39:24 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:


"RCE" wrote in message
...
Ok. Now that we all understand and agree on the mechanics of steering a
motorcycle, let's consider this situation.

Twin screw inboard.
No wind.
Little or no current.

Helm hard over to port.
Starboard engine at idle
Starboard transmission in "forward".

Port engine at idle
Port transmission in "reverse".

Which way will the boat move?

Eisboch


To which side is the captain leaning? 8)


Duck, here is some info on 'countersteering' from Wikipedia.

"Lean by countersteering

When riding a bicycle or a motorcycle, countersteering is a method of
initiating a turn by a small, momentary turn of the front wheel, usually
via the handlebars, in the opposite (counter) direction. Like the book
example above, this moves the pivot point (the wheels' contact patches) out
from under the center of mass to establish the lean angle for a turn. While
necessary at all speeds, the need to countersteer becomes more noticeable
as speed increases.

Hence, if a rider wants to turn to the right, he first throws the bike off
balance by momentarily pointing the front wheel slightly to the left. The
center of mass of the bike plus rider will continue in a straight line, but
the contact patches of the tires move to the left with respect to this
straight line."

Note, it applies to motorcycles and bicycles.