throttle cable stretch or adjustment

[joe belcastro]

Can anyone tell me how much travel should be in the throttle cable before it engages at the motor. My throttle goes about 1/4 forward before the slide at the motor moves. I have a 1979 Mercury 700 running max 4800 RPMS WOT with a michigan prop numbers 03/10/10 I thought a lower pitch prop might help me get more RPMS but a mechanic told me that my set up is pretty close to the lowest pitch for my motor. He suggested I might have motor faults, the motors seems to run OK with no problems. This is why I suspect the throttle cable could be stretched, any suggestions? Boat is a 1989 Chapparel 16" bow rider.

Thanks in advance.