2024 Mercury 200XL RPM Hunting In the 4500RPM Area

by Joe
(Fenwick Island, DE)

I have a Mercury 200XL mounted on a 24' Berkshire tritoon. I'm experiencing what I call "RPM hunting." When I push the throttle to about 4800 RPM it starts RPM hunting between 4500-5000 RPMS. It can't hold the RPM steady in the 4500-5000 area. When I drop it below 4000 it's fine. When I run it over 5000 (5100) it settles-in.
Any thoughts? My last test was on pretty calm water. I've experienced this before just over 4000 RPM, but that was attributted to operator error because the trim was too high (motor up). This last test had the motor trimmed all the way down.
Thanks much
Joe