Fitting a steering indicator

This is of course more important on a yacht with an underslung rudder, or a launch where either the rudder or sternlegs are not visible from the helm position. Without some sort of direction indicator, you have no idea which way the boat will steer when you apply power. This could have disastrous consequences if the boat suddenly moves the wrong way.

Such an indicator is usually not required on boats powered by an outboard motor, since a quick glance backwards at the powerhead will indicate which direction it is pointing. However, if the helm position is located too far forward, if the skipper is steering from a flybridge, or even if the cockpit has an overly high transom wall, then the outboard may while manoeuvring.