I just put new dual hydraulic steering on my 28' scarab (single engine) and it still wanders when in gear at an idle. I have checked the drive while the motor is running and there is no slop in the drive at all. what could be causing the back and forth motion? I look forward to your comments!

I think that is just a charactoristic of any single engine v-hull no matter what steering system you have. If it only happens at idle I wouldn't be concerned.

That's the way a single V-bottom is. It has to do with the hull shape. There is nothing wrong with your boat or the steering. Actually, if you can fight the temptation to saw at the wheel the boat will naturally wander in a straight line.

Trying to keep my boat straight at low speed is like trying to push a piece of (cooked) spaghetti through a keyhole.

Sounds normal.

D. Ocean
Pompano Beach, FLA

Yep quite normal. You can try dropping your tabs if you have them. This has is most cases I know eliminated if not at least help the wandering. Sometimes trimming the drive up with the tabs down all the way is the hot ticket. Just something you might try.

Normal , and doubt you'll ever get rid of it

If you have not tried using your tabs you really should. It works really well for everyone I know that has tried it. I do not know very many people though.

Mine ends up where it was last pointed, though in a zigzag way

Normal mine does it all the time and I to have hydraulic steering.

Go faster.