Is doing a tune-up easy?

[guy48065]

My pontoon has a 2000 Johnson 40hp pushing it. Starts & runs reliably but idles rough (shake) and it's a bit sluggish when I punch it. Carb kits & new tubing done less than 2 years ago.
I'd like to go thru the tune-up process and see if it can be improved.
Can I do a proper job of it standing beside it in the lake?
There's no marina, no repair places, and as far as I'm aware nobody that makes "house calls" anywhere near my lake. I'm on my own.

I do have a nice inductive timing light with digital tach, and all the tools I need. Unfortunately the boat & my manuals are 200 miles away so I can't mentally prep for the job. Is there a tune-up procedure write-up or thread?

[Joseph Elliott]

Check your plugs and make sure they aren’t fouled. Or just replace them, plugs are cheap.

[guy48065]

Too easy! Pros actually charge for this??

[TDJ2591]

Make sure hat you have a fresh gas/oil mixture and that all the old gas is out of the system. Fresh as in less than 30 days old.

[steve1313]

Too easy! Pros actually charge for this??

You're paying not only for their expertise (hopefully), but for their time and also for the time they save you by not having to do the work yourself. Like I always say, "you can always get more money, but you can never get more time!"