TIA for help coming up with a troubleshooting priority checklist for my 1983 115. Here's the facts:
I bought this boat 3 years ago after having not owned a boat for many years. I had had a Donzi Z21 half a lifetime ago. Just wanted a cheap but dependable little combo boat to go cruise the nearby AL river and possibly tow up to a lake occasionally. Bought a late 80's little bowrider that I could also fish, jug, and take the kids tubing.
Shortly after I bought the boat 3 years ago, we had a very rainy summer and my local section of the river got very high. By August, I had to get back to other issues, so it was run briefly only once in '17. Stayed in an enclosed dry shed for the next 3 years as I didn't have much free time in the summers of 18 and 19.
Finally gotten it out and cleaned up. I drained the old fuel and trickle charged old battery. Also changed the fuel line between the bulb and motor. The hose barb is may be 1/8" a little undersized for the fuel line, but I have it worm clamped tight.
Ran it yesterday. Took a little bit to get it started with a charged up older battery. Finally started and it did great except I ran it out of fuel about 300 yards from our put in and had to get a tow back. Gas is gauge is broken, btw.
Went back today with a brand new NAPA marine battery and full 24.5 gallons of fuel plus 2 quarts oil. It ran great again. Took a moment to get it started but not much trouble. Engine sounded wonderful. A friend was with me and after a long cruise of around an hour or more, I shut it down. We put our tubes in the water and a long float downstream of around an hour. After that, it was no luck starting. Tried choking it multiple times. Several times it almost hit, but failed and turned into a humming sound. Bulb would pump until hard. Had to float down to marina entrance and get a pull in. Appreciate your insights or starting points in diagnosing this.
I bought this boat 3 years ago after having not owned a boat for many years. I had had a Donzi Z21 half a lifetime ago. Just wanted a cheap but dependable little combo boat to go cruise the nearby AL river and possibly tow up to a lake occasionally. Bought a late 80's little bowrider that I could also fish, jug, and take the kids tubing.
Shortly after I bought the boat 3 years ago, we had a very rainy summer and my local section of the river got very high. By August, I had to get back to other issues, so it was run briefly only once in '17. Stayed in an enclosed dry shed for the next 3 years as I didn't have much free time in the summers of 18 and 19.
Finally gotten it out and cleaned up. I drained the old fuel and trickle charged old battery. Also changed the fuel line between the bulb and motor. The hose barb is may be 1/8" a little undersized for the fuel line, but I have it worm clamped tight.
Ran it yesterday. Took a little bit to get it started with a charged up older battery. Finally started and it did great except I ran it out of fuel about 300 yards from our put in and had to get a tow back. Gas is gauge is broken, btw.
Went back today with a brand new NAPA marine battery and full 24.5 gallons of fuel plus 2 quarts oil. It ran great again. Took a moment to get it started but not much trouble. Engine sounded wonderful. A friend was with me and after a long cruise of around an hour or more, I shut it down. We put our tubes in the water and a long float downstream of around an hour. After that, it was no luck starting. Tried choking it multiple times. Several times it almost hit, but failed and turned into a humming sound. Bulb would pump until hard. Had to float down to marina entrance and get a pull in. Appreciate your insights or starting points in diagnosing this.