Thanks for quick responses.
Yes, I mis-spoke -- the 3000+ is when revving the engine in neutral, not when idling.
I do have the MMI manual and have looked at the videos. But I'm at an even more basic level. To show how much of a newbie/non-engine guy I am:
Do you know if your stuffing box is adjusted correctly?
How do I check this? (I almost wrote "Stuffing box? What's that?" But I did manage to find it on a diagram.)
Does the prop spin freely (by hand) when in Neutral?
Do I check this by trying to turn the shaft by hand from inside the boat?
Any idea what condition your Hot Exhaust is in?
No idea at all. What should I be looking at/for?
Critical information is the diameter and pitch of your prop.
and
Yes, please find out what prop you have.
The diameter I can measure. How do I determine the pitch? I'm in the water now until October -- is there a way to do this without hauling? (On a calm day, I can dive to try to measure diameter.)
Given how little I understand about engines, you'll be surprised to learn that I grew up in California.
Bruce