You might wonder why we can’t just call them the “lefty” and “righty” sides. Well, imagine you’re sitting backwards in a car facing the trunk. Your left is suddenly my right. It’s a total circus.
On a boat, there’s no front or back seat confusion. Port and starboard are fixed to the boat itself. They don’t care if you’re facing the engine, the bow, or the snack cooler. They are the one true north for nautical talk.
So, if your buddy yells “Watch out on starboard!” everyone knows it’s the right side. No arguing, no pointing, just pure, beautiful maritime agreement.
The Starboard Side: The Fancy One
Starboard sounds like something a pirate would say while drinking grog. It feels fancy and important. In olden days, it was the side of the ship where you steered with a big oar—the steer-board side.
Today, if you’re on a ferry, the starboard side is usually the one with the best sun during the afternoon cruise. It’s the side where people take selfies and pretend they’re not getting seasick. It’s the Instagram-worthy side of the boat.
When you hear “starboard,” just think of star—like a rock star. It’s the cool side. The side where you sip a drink and wave at the people on the dock with a smug little grin.
Port vs Starboard Explained: 7 Easy Tricks to Remember the Left and
The Port Side: The Party Side
Port side is the left side. I remember it because the word “port” has four letters, and “left” has four letters. See? Easy. Also, you “leave port” on the left—which is a handy nudge for my tiny brain.
Historically, the port side was where the boat tied up to the dock. It was the working side—where they loaded cargo. That’s why it’s also called the “larboard” in some old books, but let’s not go there. That word is a nightmare.
These days, the port side is often the shadier side of the boat. Perfect for hiding from the sun, or for that one friend who forgot sunscreen. It’s the side where you find the cooler, the fishing rod, and the person who’s already eaten all the chips.
