I've got a 95 zx200 Skeeter with a 95 Mercury Black Max 200... I can't get it to plane out. Feels like there is no power when i take off. Boat will idle perfect. Any ideas?

Motor needs setting Lazer .

What in the world is a setting Lazer?

Yeah what in heII is a setting lazer?

Sorry guys Lazer beam to make sure motor is set at the right spot.

You probably got it propped wrong

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=34b_1414092710

assuming this is a new problem and it was okay before it's not a set up issue more than likely dropping spark on a cylinder or carb problems. Make sure all the linkage/bushings are on the carbs is intact first. Surprising how well an outboard will run at idle with a down cylinder. Do not try and run it anymore with out finding the problem easy way to smoke a power head. Check spark on all cylinders when Idling then look at the carbs.

Is this an all of the sudden problem or did you change something? Or is the boat new to you?

Maybe oil tank or impeller?

Powerpoles are probably dragging.

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assuming this is a new problem and it was okay before it's not a set up issue more than likely dropping spark on a cylinder or carb problems. Make sure all the linkage/bushings are on the carbs is intact first. Surprising how well an outboard will run at idle with a down cylinder. Do not try and run it anymore with out finding the problem easy way to smoke a power head. Check spark on all cylinders when Idling then look at the carbs. [/quote]

Either spark or fuel problem... Check fuel filters and fuel lines.. This corn oil (ethanol) will eat older fuel lines and plug up the system.. May get enough fuel to idle but not enough for higher rpms..

Could be a loose nut behind the wheel. J/K of course. Is this a new problem or did it just happen.

assuming this is a new problem and it was okay before it's not a set up issue more than likely dropping spark on a cylinder or carb problems. Make sure all the linkage/bushings are on the carbs is intact first. Surprising how well an outboard will run at idle with a down cylinder. Do not try and run it anymore with out finding the problem easy way to smoke a power head. Check spark on all cylinders when Idling then look at the carbs. [/quote]

Either spark or fuel problem... Check fuel filters and fuel lines.. This corn oil (ethanol) will eat older fuel lines and plug up the system.. May get enough fuel to idle but not enough for higher rpms.. [/quote]



My Bass Cat asks just like that when I have a coil go out. Sounds like you have a spark plug not getting fire.

Sounds like a fuel or spark issue, but is the prop still biting or is it blowing out with the cooler temps.

Sounds like bad fuel or fuel lines due to ethanol.

Stop guessing until Tory gets back on & tells us if this is a "new/sudden" problem...then we can start guessing again! :-)

Had that problem on my 225 and it turned out to be a bad plug wire.

Did you unhook it from the trailer?

Don't run the thing until you get it checked out. You can turn a small problem into a big expensive one quick.

Take it to a mechanic to see if the motor checks out first. That should be step 1.

Is the trolling motor in the stowed position ?

Thanks for all of the responses. I've had the boat for 2 years. It was originally my father in laws guide boat.. i had two powerpoles that did make it drag and hard to plane out. So i took them off then it was fine. Now it will not plane out. It idles perfectly fine. I drained all the gas for the boat and put in new and problem still occurs. I has the spark test done to each spark plug wire and removed each plug. Maybe a stator? That is my guess... maybe a computer issue or fuel pump?

I would bet on the carb. Maybe you have some clogged jets.

One last thought...have you hit the prop. Could the prop be spinning on the hub? Under power it could be slipping enough not to grab. Did it to my prop once. However it was a old prop and rubber hub.

If it's the prop rpm should spin up pretty high. Other than that if it's getting spark it's probably either fuel/carbs, timing advance or something internal. I'd run a compression test next

id look at the carbs. just had the same issue with yamaha and i replaced all fuel lines and fuel pumps when i rebuilt the carbs and it runs like a top.

Thanks for all of the help!!

I had the same issue this past weekend, and it was a fuel problem. Added Sta-bil ethanol buster to new 89 fuel and it all cleared up. It maybe the fuel injectors if you have that type (mine is an EFI). I have not had my boat out often enough and I will start it once a week from now on and let it run 10mins+. Ethanol SUXs!!

BREAK OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND (BOAT)

I had this same prob with mine. Its a 2001 mercury 200efi. After throwing parts at it I finally took it and had it looked at. Mechanic told me it was the ecu. I pulled it off and sent it to Simon motorsports and they told me every injector driver was loose.

If it's not a intermittent miss but lost power you probably dropped a coil. I had that happen during the recent Legend's tournament on the 2nd day. One other issue is a pin hole in the spark plug wires that is shorting out to the motor however, this usually cause a miss rather than loss of power. Check the coils.

Hahahaha, yea its a little harder to get on plane with the t/m in the water, you get very wet also.

Check where the gas line clips into the motor it could be sucking air or leaking gas. My 200 black max same year did this last week. That is good that your doing a compression test because my black max blew a head in 2005 but I was up on plane that cost me back then $6900 to put new power head in. They told me it was a little plastic clip that keeps the oil injector working in the motor. Hope you find out what is the problem good luck.

A bad reed can do this

check to make sure all coil pack wiring harness are plugged in all the way. Mine was doing the same thing. Problem fixed. Guess after a while (older motors) they vibrate out.

Pull the propeller off and check the bushing inside the propeller that's my guess good luck

Okay, my two cents worth. Your Merc may a safety override for overheating. The engine will idle at low RPM's but when you attempt to plane out the engine will stall due to immediate overheating. Bad water pump/impeller. Check your temperature gauge or listen for the overheating alarm.

Does the engine sputter at around 1500 rpm? Do you have a hotfoot? If yes to these may be this. My 99 zx would do the same thing if I did not have the gear shift lever pushed all the way forward. If you push the lever only far enough to engage forward gear this will happen. There is a switch in the lever that controls the engine rpm max as shifting is done. Used to drive me nuts till a rep at Skeeeter tourney told me of this condition,after that never had another issue.

You really have to troubleshoot this stuff logically. Most of the responses could be the cause, or none of them! If you want to fix it yourself you really need the factory service manual (available online for a reasonable cost). As several have pointed out, it would be helpful to have an idea about the circumstances when you first noticed the problem.

Starting from scratch, a good first check would be to buy an inexpensive spark tester and make sure you have fire to each plug. If not, you know you have to work through ignition troubleshooting. You'll need a quality digital VOM with short-term voltage capture capability or "DVA tester" and the specs to do most of these tests. Potential trouble spots could be the ignition modules, sensors (throttle position sensor, head temp sensor, etc), or loose ground wires.

If spark is OK then check the fuel system (anti-syphon valve, if any, on the fuel tank, hoses, filters, pulse fuel pump diaphragms/check valves, carb cleanliness, etc.) If you have never overhauled the pulse fuel pump it's a good idea to do it. Even if the diaphragms don't have holes or tears they can become baggy and lose pumping capacity at high speeds. The parts kit is only about $20 and you can remove the pump and install the kit in minutes if you are at all handy. Carbs are pretty easy to clean and overhaul too.

If all of this is more than you can take on then pull out your wallet and take her to the shop!

Good luck!