Mariner 30 dies above idle speed

"I have a 1996 30hp Mariner th

"I have a 1996 30hp Mariner that I just took to the lake for the first start/run of the year. It started ok and after some warm-up time I took it out for a test run. At about a 1/2 mile out while running at high rpm it suddenly lost power and just about died. I immediately put it in neutral and it kept running. But when I tried to go forward at anything above idle it would die. I had to idle back in. In neutral, using the high idle lever, it will run ok at higher rpms - just not when in gear???

Last fall I winterized per the manual. I also changed the fuel filter at that time.

Any ideas as to what the problem is would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Edward E."

If you didn't drain the ca

If you didn't drain the carb(s) there is a fair chance it developed a clog in one of the jets.

It would be "normal" for it to run ok without a load and gag out when in gear if there is a clog in the system.