1988 40hp Evinrude overheating at idle

[DadofTim]

Greeting everyone, I hope you all had a great 4th July. I am a proud owner of a a pontoon equipped with a long shaft 40 hp that overheats when idling in the lake, the overheat alarm will silence after raising the idle speed or at cruising speed. The motor seems to have plenty of water from the telltail, but I noticed that the nipple is missing from the telltail and the hose is just sticking out of the case. I ordered one today so I will try that, I am interested in hearing from the informed m***es of their opinions.
Thanks

[boats.net]

Best to start at water pump on overheat problems, replace water pump, probably will resolve it.