I was getting the boat ready for a run to the lake this weekend and I hooked the motor (Merc 250 XB) up to water.

I started it up (it idled around 2200-2400 rpm) and let it idle for about 3-5 minutes, then I put it into gear and it idled between 600-700 rpm in gear. When it went into gear, it wasn't a smooth mesh and I didn't like the sound. I tried it a couple more times and the results were the same.

I wonder if the cables have stretched or..?

What should I do? I hate to use it if there is something not right with it.