Just a little heads up on something from this week:

If you are having difficulties consistently getting 100% Demand Linear EVEN WITH a new-style hotfoot:

INSPECT THE THROTTLE CABLE SHEATH FOR BRAND NAME AND PART NUMBER.

If it is NOT AN OEM Mercury or Quicksilver PLATINUM cable, STOP and install an OEM cable.

We just had one (brand new hotfoot and cable) that the aftermarket cable was improperly manufactured. Crimps were intact, not stretched or damaged, just simply the insert was too short or the outer guide was too long (by right at 1"). Even with the barrel adjuster all the way at the end of it's threads you could not get the demand sensor all the way back to idle position.

There is no solution for that other than REPLACE THE CABLE.

One other note: many aftermarket cables "oversize" the eyelet at the end of the cable, resulting in a sloppy connection point and excessive free travel. The OEM cable will be sized correctly.