Very high idle/hard to find neutral

[Duke01]

Excellent, glad it worked out. My 200hp 1980 Merc idles better now that the carbs are clean and with new surface gap plugs. Need to check top speed tomorrow. Last year it was low 40's which some feel is slow for this engine.

[jamesbalog]

Originally Posted by Duke01

Excellent, glad it worked out. My 200hp 1980 Merc idles better now that the carbs are clean and with new surface gap plugs. Need to check top speed tomorrow. Last year it was low 40's which some feel is slow for this engine.

All I get is low 40s out of mine and that’s on a good day. You may do better as I have bottom paint, an aluminum prop, usually have a heavy load and I’m sure my hull is wet too.

Remember these motors are really only putting out around 175hp at the prop.

[Duke01]

39 mph yesterday, measured via GPS. 40+ gallons of gas. One person on board. standard 3 blade alum prop. 1980 Merc 200HP.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Duke01

39 mph yesterday, measured via GPS. 40+ gallons of gas. One person on board. standard 3 blade alum prop. 1980 Merc 200HP.

Speed is relevant to a number of things. Pitch of the prop, number of blades, cupping, prop material, and a host of other things on just the prop alone. Weather, wind and sea conditions also play a huge part in your speed.
Having said that, 39 does seem a little slow. I run a 1993 200hp Merc and regularly see mid 40's.