176 Bowrider Poor Performance Post Winterization

[dcox14]

I took my boat (2003 SR 176 BR) out for the first time after winterization (gas tank essentially empty when put up and treated with stabilizer, I fogged the carburetor, and dumped the water in the coolant lines). The boat was usually garaged for winter and worked normally each season afterwards, but since our dock was completed last summer, I decided to winter it there on the lake. First, the trim would stop half way down as if something was blocking it, but I trimmed it up and down several times and it began to work properly. Next, when I opened the throttle (WOT) I noticed the boat would only top out at 32 mph at 4000 RPM. It will usually go 45 to 50 mph. I checked the throttle cable under the engine cover and it seemed to be working fine. I did fill the tank with non-ethanol gas before going out on the lake. Any ideas as to why it now performs poorly?

 

[Gary Lewis]

The boat was stored on a lift so there's no growth on the hull? If so, does the engine seem to be running smoothly or missing? Is it coming up to temp?

 

[dcox14]

The boat was stored on a lift. The engine comes up to temp okay, about 170 F I think. The hull is not super clean, but last year the boat would get up to at least 42 or 45 MPH. This time though there was a significant difference in performance. The engine doesn't miss, but feels as thought there is something holding it back. It struggles to plane for a while, but eventually gets up to plane speed and levels out.

 

[Gary Lewis]

How long did you run it? I think I'd run it a while to see if it eventually sorts itself out. You may have a bunch of Stabil or some such in the gas that's geting sucked into the fuel system. If you filled the tank really full the gas can't slosh and mix the old fuel with the new fuel. I know this sounds unlikely, but I did it once with 2-stroke oil and know for sure it can happen. So, run the boat a while and make some turns to cause the fuel to slosh and mix.

 

[wish2fish]

is it running poorly or are you just basing on what your speedometer says? boat speedometers are known for errors.

 

[gumbyjb]

Are you sure the trim is functioning properly when you are in the water? You stated you had problems with it initially, but was able to get it working. Verify it actually is working properly. Improper trim will cause it to act like it has a performance problem.

 

[Gary Lewis]

Are you sure the trim is functioning properly when you are in the water? You stated you had problems with it initially, but was able to get it working. Verify it actually is working properly. Improper trim will cause it to act like it has a performance problem.

Good idea!