Engine Torque

[John Hart]

Does the spinning of the prop generally cause left/right thrust....?

I am just thinking back to the last time I took my boat out, and remembered that I needed to have the steering wheel cocked somewhat to the side to remain going straight... This is partly because I did not get a chance to readjust a cable clamp that had slipped back by the motor. However, I was wondering that if a motor is pointed exactly forward, and the underside of the hull is straight, does the prop exert any sort of side to side torque that requires compensation in the steering? (75Hp) Or, another way of putting it, is it normal to have to keep a reasonably good grip on the wheel to ensure the motor does not begin swiveling on it's own?

John Hart.

[john]

Torque steer will go from left to right as engine is trimed under, goes net. with zero trim and torque reverses as the engine is trimed out. If the torque starts out as left or right depends on if the prop is left or right hand rotation.

The larger the prop the more torque.