Took the Boat to Galveston for some bay fishing and the motor started acting up. By the last day, it would not not go much faster than a strong idle. It seemed like the motor would bog down of I gave it more gas. It was very hard to start and keep running. I had to use high idle to get it started and keep it running. Earlier in the week, it would open up, but cut out for a couple of moments, then open back up again. It seems like the problem got worse thought the week until Friday when it would barely run. It has to be a fuel problem?, but I am just not sure where to start.
1993 115 Rude. VRO is disconnected, I pre mix 50:1
Filled up last gas at the Wal Mart in houston.

Any suggestions before I tear into the carbs?

If it was cutting out and then run again. It will be an ignition problem. If it was fuel, it would have not been intermit.

Would that also make it bog down when I give it more throttle? It almost acts like it is getting too much fuel, kind of like a float is stuck? When it would bog down, it would just reduce power, not turn off.

It wo`nt hurt anything to clean and check the carbs but I will have to agree with Mike it sounds more like power pack, stator or timer base.

Agree, fuel problems are pretty much consistant-
Electrical will be here & there & drive you nuts

power pack, stator or timer base, is this something I can check to see if they are working correctly?

Not ruling out electrical/ignition, My Johnson 110 did just about the same thing on Texoma. I put it in gear and rolled into the throttle and it would just bog down. I could rev it and it sounded fine, but under a load, bog.
Pulled the carbs and cleaned them with some B-12 and a bit of air. Did not move or adjust any set screws. Pre-cleaning, I noticed some of the jet openings looked a little clogged and some junk (maybe varnish) in the bowls.
After cleaning, runs like a top. (Mine still has VRO)

U HAVE A FLOAT STICKING AN CAUSING IT TO GET TO MUCH GAS THE PROBLEM IS IN THE CARB

I would say that if it will sit there and run and then bog down under load, you are starving for fuel. Fuel filters is where I would look first. I have also had external fuel tanks with the vents closed and it would suck the sides of the plastic tank in trying to pull the fuel out. I would be careful running it especially if it is starving for fuel, equals lean condition and quick engine damage. Let us know what you find.

Joe

Thanks for the great advice. I will start with the filters and hoses and look around in the carbs. I hope this will fix it. I will report back.

thanks again,
Chris

there's no need to guess -- you can rule out an ignition problem with an inline spark tester (couple bucks at autozone).

Set the gap at 7/16", clip it to the engine block, attach the spark plug leads (one at a time), look for a strong blue spark while somebody turns the engine over with the key. Best to have all plugs out for this test. Be sure to ground the leads to the engine block with jumper wires -- a floating spark plug lead can blow a powerpack.

You can't tell from visual inspection whether carbs need rebuilding -- if you have good spark and compression on all cylinders, fuel line holding pressure, fuel tank vent open and clear, and no water/debris in the tank, just go ahead and rebuild the carbs. Soak the metal parts in carb cleaner and install new kits. You'll be glad you did.