1998 dt4 2cyl 4.5hp engine stops

[goose1]

Outboard hadn't been used for a few years, had it tuned up. It ran good for one day then stared cutting out and stopping while in gear, idled in neutral fine. Had carburetor removed and cleaned, also gas is fine. It again idled fine but when put in gear had a flat spot when increasing the speed, needed to pull out choke quickly to get past this. Now it still starts right up and idles fine in neutral but when put in gear it (fwd or rvs) it stops instantly. What could be the problem

[goose1]

I'm not an outboard guy, but does anybody out there have any ideas why an engine would start right up and run in neutral without any hesitation, but when put in gear it instantly stops? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks