23hp vanguard-gdsd- what are ideal RPMs at idle with prop out of the water? I am checking it all out in the garage and its running at 2000. When I am pushing a full load, what are safe RPMs to run at reliably? I would guess in the 4200-4400 range but what do yall think. I want to have this motor for a long time and I want to take good care of it.

For idle, I want my rpm's to be just high enough that it doesn't kill it when you put a load on it in the water.

x2, 1000-1200 usually. Set the gov so your out of water max is in the 4250 range.

Ok thanks. I'll put some slack in the throttle cable.

How do I set the governor. My out of water RPMs are going over 4500... I thought about putting slack in the throttle cable but that just doesn't seem right.

Should be an adjustment screw down in the linkage somewhere. The one near the linkage on the carb is for your idle.

Ah yes. I know the one you mean. Thks