Re: 1988 Johnson 25 HP (J25RCCA) Throttle hard to turn, won't go to full throttle?!
Sounds like throttle cable. To test, disconnect cable from throttle arm and see if it's still hard to turn from the tiller handle. If you had recently been "under the hood" and bent the cable that would cause it, or if the plastic sheath got a hole in it from wear over time that could also cause it.
Be sure to let us know what you find!