Noticed last week that boat steers a little hard but only to the right. To the left, it's smooth and easy. Crestliner 192 w/200 Merc. And it steers hard only when running. Sitting at dock it's smooth in both directions.

I'm going to have it looked at, but my mechanic said it was probably due to the engine torque and nothing to worry about. He said b/c prop turns clockwise, harder to turn to the right. I never heard that one before. And I never noticed it until last week.

Thoughts?

Check to see if your trim tab has moved.

Sounds right, just about every boat I've driven is that way to some extent, some worse than others. Your mechanic is right. Adjust your trim tab, it'll help.

BIRDDOG

I'll check the trim tab, but boat doesn't pull or wander, runs pretty straight. Just steers a little tight to the right.

I'm guessing the trim tab adjustment is a trial and error thing. I won't know if I adjusted it correctly without testing it? I'm wondering how difficult it will be making adjustments on the water so i don't have to pull the boat every time.

if you can get alongside a dock, tie a line off a rear cleat, to hold the stern close to the dock, and have a longer, bow line held by somebody else. Push the bow away from the dock, and let the tilited-up motor rotate toward you. And, unless you've got a couple of spares, tie a line from your wrench to your wrist, so when you drop the wrench (and you WILL drop it) you don't lose it. Move the tab a click or 2, and take the boat for a ride. Repeat if needed.
HRG

I felt it was just easier to do on the trailer. I moved it a notch, went out for the day. Did that a few times over a few weekends. Got it pretty well dialed in, but it's still a little tougher to steer to the right. I don't get to concerned about it.

BIRDDOG

Do trim adjustments affect the resistance of the right turn? With that rig you should be able to neutralize the steering torque with trimming up or down a bit.