I have an 88 liberator with cobra 350 - fires right up - idles perfect - throttle it in neutral just fine but when i put it in gear it boggs out like its starving for fuel or choking out ???

been sitting ? if so the carb(QJet) I assume may need gone thru and cleaned, this alcohol fuel when sits leaves one heck of a mess inside, just did one on a friends boat 2 weeks ago..also if still original points could has closed up, fuel filter clogged, have also seen accel pump plunger deal and causing this as well..

Timing, compression test. Start with the basics...

i agree with ez,sounds like a carb issue.

Welcome to the site by the way!!!

1st thing - check to see if choke is sticking closed

If the shift cable has drag to it, it will trigger the shift interrupter switch.

Stock OMC Cobras had Holley carbs and if it was the shift interupt switch it would completely stall as soon as you put into gear. IMO carb issue and or fuel delivery issue.

Isn't that what it is doing?

not all, I had a boat I bought new in 88 with twin SB cobras, had q-jets, and yes their shift interrup system was a pain, 1st switch killed cylinders, 2nd switch bypassed 1st to run normal, had issues with mine on occasions