Throttle Help

Was told I need a new throttle cable.. anyone agree with this..

If you can manually move the throttle on the engine with no issues, it pretty much has to be a linkage/cable issue...

Change those spark plugs before you do anything else. Had that same problem and found that the plugs were the only problem. When's the last time you put new plugs in?

Throttle cable for sure. Could be in the control end or the motor end. Only 1 way to find out....Tear it apart..

Will do thanks guys. Going to tear it apart tonight.

With out seeing how your dad is throttle up the motor I am going to do some guessing. I am guessing he is moving the linkage to open the carbs? If the motor runs fine with him doing this, by fine I mean like everything as it was "normal".
 
Do what other have said check your cables, keep your hood off and with the motor off go from neutral to forward and reverse taking the throttle lever to the extremes. Watch the linkage in the motor, see if they are following the movement from your control box. Try to wiggle and see if the cable is messed up. From what it sound this is a long shot but very easily tested and free.
 
So if your cable is fine and your motor runs fine with a man at the motor opening throttle, I think its electrical. I am thinking its the neutral start switch, it may be on its last leg and possibly telling the motor to shut down. I believe that switch grounds out ignition if in gear. That would a switch I would check out. Examine all your wires, check to make sure nothing is hitting your key switch it might sound silly but that could be lose as well or something in the control box has worn enough to trip the key or neutral start.
 
Try different things like have it running in gear and turn the key off, or try to start it in gear. Most likely you will not see a smoking gun, but it might turn up a clue.
 
What gets me is the motor runs fine (I am assuming) when manually opens the throttle, but not at control box. silly question does the motor have an air box, or vents in the hood. maybe something is restricting air flow that isn't in place if run manually.
 
Snap some pics of the motor if you can.
 
 

Hey Ed Make sure you check everything these guy's mentioned. Don't make no Adjustment to the carburetor AIR/FUEL mix Or Idle. It is not very often thats the problem, Those screws are spring loaded making them almost impossible to loosen by themselves.   Is the boat in the water and under pressure when your Dad is working the throttle ????

Any luck with that throttle problem?