Starting Engine Order

[HUMPH]

It's probably good practice in that on SR's, the Port side is the helm and electronics power and by first starting the Starboard you now have the supplement of the charging of the Starboard alternator to offset the voltage drop on the Port batteries during Port engine cranking. If the charger is on then you have additional benefit. The alternators usually have a higher ampacity than the chargers.
However, to be honest I don't really pay much attention to the sequence.....

On my boat the helm is on the starboard battery bank. I start the starboard side first without any electronics turned on. I is the emergency start sometimes but not always.

 

[ttmott]

On my boat the helm is on the starboard battery bank. I start the starboard side first without any electronics turned on. I is the emergency start sometimes but not always.

Now why would they do that?