What is the Steering Wheel on a Ship Called? The Proper Name for a Boat Wheel

The steering wheel of a boat lets the captain or helmsman change the direction of the vessel by connecting to the rudder. Some modern ships don’t actually have a wheel, instead having a toggle that uses remote control to change the rudder direction. But what is the steering wheel on a boat called?

The steering wheel on a boat is called the ship’s wheel or the boat’s wheel. It is part of the steering mechanics that make up the helm and will change the direction of the rudder in the water in order to alter the vessel’s path in the water. In modern times, it is most commonly referred to as the helm, rather than the steering wheel. 

Most boaters call the steering wheel the helm

In modern day maritime use, it’s very rare to hear someone actually call it a steering wheel, boat wheel, or ship wheel. Most boaters will refer to it simply as the helm. This refers to the wheel, tiller, toggle, or any other part of the console that lets you steer the boat.

Many people will visualize a boat’s steering wheel as the classic shape and design you might see on pirate boats from children’s books and toys. You can see a photo of one of those below if you don’t know what I mean.

In the classic old-fashioned example shown above, it is of wooden construction with 8 spokes in a circle. It can be very large in diameter and would often require more than one person to operate it in the days before modern hydraulic and electronic engineering. 

Boat steering wheel: proper name

Fast forward to modern boats, and the steering wheel or helm will actually be a lot smaller than you might expect, with some boats having simple toggle devices.

Below is a photo of a more modern helm steering wheel.

In modern ships, the boat’s wheel will often be smaller than the steering wheels that you see in cars, which is surprising to many people.

The reason being is that we now benefit from electronics and hydraulics that require less power and human strength to turn a rudder from the wheel.

Comparing Different Types of Steering Systems

There are several types of steering systems available for boats of different sizes and operational requirements. 

Learning more about these steering systems and their functions can help you make more informed decisions about your boat’s navigation components. 

Mechanical Steering Systems 

Mechanical steering systems are the most common type of steering systems. Because of their simplicity, they are often found in small boats and pontoons. 

Mechanical steering systems consist of a steering wheel that connects to the boat’s outboard motor or rudder using a system of pulleys, cables, or gears. 

When you turn the helm of your boat, the cables transfer the movement to the motor or rudder. This then guides your boat in the direction you want it to go.

Mechanical steering systems are more affordable and easier to maintain. These qualities make them attractive to recreational boaters or people with limited boating experience. 

Hydraulic Steering Systems

Hydraulic steering systems operate smoother and with greater steering precision compared to mechanical systems. You’ll find them more commonly on medium to large boats. 

Hydraulic steering systems use a hydraulic pump. The pump attaches to the helm and sends fluid through hoses to what’s known as a steering cylinder. 

As the helm turns, it sends hydraulic pressure to move the cylinder. The cylinder then turns the outboard motor or rudder in the direction you turn. 

The benefits of hydraulic systems is that they require less physical effort to operate and offer better feedback. However, they are often more expensive and need more regular maintenance to perform at their best. 

Electronic Steering Systems

Electronic steering systems, also known as “fly-by-wire” systems, are popular in modern boats. Particularly in larger, high-performance vessels like yachts. 

Electronic steering systems send electrical signals from the helm to an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU then controls the boat’s outboard motor or rudder through actuators. 

Electronic steering systems are unmatched when it comes to precision, responsiveness, and customization options like joystick controls and multiple hem stations. 

However, electronic steering systems are expensive and more complex than mechanical or hydraulic systems. Meaning, they’re better suited for advanced or professional boaters.

Related questions about boat steering wheels

Whilst putting this question and answer blog post together, I also found similarly related queries that people are asking Google. I have answered those below just in case you want any further information. 

What is the steering wheel on a sailing ship called?

Just like any other boat, including pontoons, speed boats, or deck boats, the wheel on a sailing ship is also called the helm.

It lets the captain or helmsman change direction of the sailing ship as the wheel controls the rudder through the water.

In modern sailing ships, the steering wheel is connected to either a mechanical or hydraulic system to provide the power to the rudder. 

What is the steering wheel on a pirate ship called?

Avast me hearties! Just like modern day ships, the steering wheel on a pirate’s ship is called the ship’s wheel and was located in the helm area.

The helm on a pirate ship is the steering wheel which would have controlled the rudder.

Did you know, that the steering wheel of a ship, and in this case a pirate’s boat, is often called the helm in literature and film.

It derives from a Viking word “the helm” and can be the verb “to steer”, as in “to helm a pirate’s ship”.

So the next time someone asks you “what is the steering wheel on a pirate ship called”, you should now be able to answer with confidence. 

For more information on this question, plus some photos and videos, check out this article about pirate ship steering wheels.

What does a ship steering wheel look like?

If you scroll up the page you can see a couple of examples of what they look like. Below is another example of a ship’s wheel on a modern boat, but with dual steering control this time.

What side of the boat is the steering wheel on?

Boat steering wheels are always placed on the right-hand side of the boat, which is known as the starboard side in maritime terms. 

The left-hand side, also known as port, is the side of the boat you put against the port or marina when docking.

Why is the steering wheel in a boat on the right side?

I believe that the ship’s steering wheel is located on the right starboard side, as it lets the helmsman operate the engine using the right hand, and most people are right-handed, making it feel more natural.

It appears to date back to historical times and has always been this way. This is possibly because with humans being predominantly right-handed, they would have to carry a shield in their left hand and a weapon in the right.

Also, boat guidelines state that you should keep to the left-hand port side of the oncoming vessel, so steering boards are kept to the right-hand side.

What does a ship steering wheel symbolize?

You will often see ship and boat steering wheels used on logos, patterns, and tattoos. It can have symbolic meaning to the person who wears or uses it.

You will find old sailors wearing the steering wheel symbol to signify their time at sea. Others use the symbolism because on a sailboat, it was the helmsman steering who provided direction, but not the actual power of the boat.

So, you could say that it has come to symbolize or represent a person who is looking to navigate their way through life’s rough and unexpected seas.

In fact, it’s steering wheels are actually a solar sign, dating back to the middle ages. Historically it was said to symbolize leadership and management, which make sense when you think about it!

It’s all personal at the end of the day and symbolizes whatever a boat’s steering wheel means to you.

Steering wheel of a ship – design and mechanism

As part of the research into finding out “what is the steering wheel of a ship called” I also decided to look into the design specifics. In other words, how do steering wheels on ships work, and why do they look the way that they do.

Here’s what an old-fashioned steering wheel of a ship or boat looks like (kind of what you would see on a pirate’s ship).

By now you should know what the boat steering wheel name is, but how does it function? Here’s an overview:

Boat steering wheel design

The design of the wheel is composed using 8 wooden spokes but can be as little as 6 and as many as 10 depending on the configuration.

The wooden wheel spokes all join together to a central wooden nave. There is a square hole in the center, and the axle will run through this.

Boat steering wheel mechanism

On old-fashioned boats, the steering wheel of a ship will connect on the axle to a spindle that then goes through a barrel.

This will connect to a tiller chain that connects to a couple of sheaves under the boat’s deck and then onto some pulleys.

This mechanism lets the captain steer and controls the rudder.

 

The last word

I hope that this short explainer has helped you understand your question and given you a comprehensive answer to the boat steering wheel’s proper name.

To conclude and wrap up, regardless of the vessel’s size, it will normally just be called the helm. Some people call it the tiller, but this is actually incorrect as the tiller is the rod that connects a shaft to the rudder and steering device.