shift is too firm

[livysdaddy]

I removed both shift cables from the linkage yesterday the cable going to the gear shifted was very smooth and felt free on the otherhand the red cable going to my outdrive was smooth but quite stiff. I did not have a.spring scale to measure it with bit it was definatly more than two n a half pounds. Does this red cable have any adjustment as far as tension or can u just adjust travel. The boat (1989 four winns 210 horizion with 5.7 omc cobra)had sat for a while when I bought it. I didn't know if I could lighten the load on it any or lube it in some way or if it basically came to the point if its too stiff u have to replace it.
Thanks for any help!!