Adjusting Idle Speed - 40HP 2-Cylinder

[Submariner]

Greetings,<br /><br />My first post to this outstanding forum.....<br /><br />I recently purchased an '01 Whaler 13 Sport with a 40HP, 2-cylinder, 2-stroke Merc. I've been boating for some 30 years, but this is my first outboard powered boat.<br /><br />The motor is idling at around 1,000rpm in gear, 1,200rpm out of gear. The spec calls for 750rpm in gear, so I'd like to get this situated quickly, as I'm sure it's not good on the gears to shift at the higher rpm's. <br /><br />At first gander, I noticed that the linkage was not set against the stop, so I adjusted the barrel nut, however this did nothing to change the idle speed. How do I adjust the idle speed on this engine? Do I adjust the threaded rod that's above the linkage?<br /><br />Also, at idle, the motor seems to bounce around quite a bit. I would say it idles quite rough. I know smaller 2-strokes are known to idle somewhat roughly, but this rattles around to the point that my wife thinks it's going to fall off the boat! <br /><br />Is this rough an idle normal for this engine? I would venture to guess there's less than 50 hours on it, as the boat didn't have a mark on it when I bought it, including the prop and skeg! A compression test showed 125lbs on both cylinders, and under the cover it's like new.<br /><br />Any help/advice would be most appreciated!<br /><br />Thanks in advance!!