just yesterday when i was parking my boat and put it into forward i started to notice a delay in the drive going into gear after pushing the gear shifter into forward. It started with a couple of seconds delay and by the end of the day it was taking almost 10 full seconds between when i push the gear shifter into gear and the prop starts to turn. Reverse seems to be fine.

Once the boat is in gear it seems to 'stay' in gear just fine. everything ran perfectly once in gear.

Im looking for someone with experience with this motor/drive package to help me understand if there might be an adjustment i could make or if i just have to have the transmission rebuilt.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Probably in cable. Can you bypass the throttle and cable and put it in gear by hand at the tranny? At least eliminate those two sources

NXT "transmission" is still a cone clutch. Sounds like worn forward cone surface.

Good idea, i will try that this week.

Agree with this statement.
First confirm that cable is shifting trans fully into the forward position, but sounds like lazy shift from pitted/scored cone.

I agree it sounds like it is the transmisson your basically shifting a bravo.