eli5: Why is a ship’s steering at the back and not at the front like cars?

Question

eli5: Why is a ship’s steering at the back and not at the front like cars?

In: 5

Answer 1

A ships steering is much more efficient if it is behind the propeller, since the water current is much higher behind the propeller. Since the prop is in the back, so is the steering.

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Cars have their steering in the front because the steered end is the end that swings out when you steer, so you want good visibility of that end, and car drivers are sitting in the front