Hello all, this is my first adventure into the boating world and I need some guidance. My boat is a 1988 Bass tracker tournament tx17. The outboard is a mercury classic 50 4cyl 2 stroke. My issue is very frustrating: my boat won't get up on plane and won't go past 8mph. It starts and runs great, and feels like it has power right when I first gun it to get going, but stops accelerating very quickly. When it's topped out at WOT, the tach says around 3100 rpm and my gps says I'm going about 8 mph.
Things I've done to the motor since I bought it 2 months ago:
Replaced the fuel tank, supply line and primer bulb.
Rebuilt both carbs using OEM parts (they probably didn't need it as they appeared pretty clean inside while I had them apart but I wanted to be sure anyway)
Replaced the impeller and housing
Replace spark plugs
Tested compression (98psi on all cylinders)
Replaced the fuel filter
It starts and idles great, but it acts like it's not opening up all the way. What should I check next that could cause this?
Things I've done to the motor since I bought it 2 months ago:
Replaced the fuel tank, supply line and primer bulb.
Rebuilt both carbs using OEM parts (they probably didn't need it as they appeared pretty clean inside while I had them apart but I wanted to be sure anyway)
Replaced the impeller and housing
Replace spark plugs
Tested compression (98psi on all cylinders)
Replaced the fuel filter
It starts and idles great, but it acts like it's not opening up all the way. What should I check next that could cause this?