I'm new to the forum and wanted to pick your collective brains. I recently bought a 2008 Triton 190FS from an individual who was, apparently not well versed at boat maintenance or upkeep. After working through the myriad of minor issues, I am left with one. Most of the time the engine performance is sluggish out of the hole and top end is considerably slower than expected from a 200 Otpimax. WOT 4800 RPM. I considered that maybe the motor is mounted too low as is common from some dealers. However, after changing the filter in the VST and replacing the grey fuel line that Mercury wants rigged on all of their motors (garbage hose by the way). I found numerous yellow crystals in the grey hose between the primer bulb and the motor which I assume we're the result of ethanol. I took the boat back to the lake this weekend after changing the filter and the fuel line, and it did the same thing. While running on plane, I hit the wake from several boats, and the boat tossed around and there was audible change in motor tone, resulting in WOT 5500 rpm and 61 mph. After slowing down to idle, the hole shot was lightening fast and planed out 61.8 mph without difficulty. After a few more hole shots, it became sluggish again. I run a 21p tempest plus, I have added ethanol treatment and today, disconnected the fuel line from the primer bulb to the fuel tank and blew in it, resulting in a siphon effect that returned clear fuel without crystals. I am now working on the idea that there is something. Obstructing fuel from entering the fuel pick-up hose I the tank, or something obstructing the vent hose. What are your thoughts?????
