Stalled and only runs for a few seconds

[Joe1981]

Hello, I recently picked up a 1985 sea sprite with a 3.0 4cyl.. I took it out yesterday for the first time, boat ran great... Didn't bog.. I put it in neutral periodically to check for leaks.. everything was smooth, after an hour I was heading back to the boat launch.. while on approach, I put the boT in neutral again and it stalled... After attempting to restart the engine, the boat would run for a few seconds and stalls again.. any suggestions?? The boat came from a guy in his 80s that he owned since new, it was for the most part well maintained
Thanks

 

[o2batsea]

This is classic symptom of vapor lock. Be sure the fuel hoses are away from heat sources.

 

[Joe1981]

This is classic symptom of vapor lock. Be sure the fuel hoses are away from heat sources.

Thanks.. how else could I remedy it?

 

[jimn]

Thanks.. how else could I remedy it?

Open the engine cover and let it cool for awhile, then try to start it. If you can, add a bit of gas to the carb and if it wants to run, you definitely have a fuel problem. How old is the gas, fuel filter, is the vent line clogged (open the gas cap slightly to check this)? Old fuel lines can delaminate- Ethanol is a likely cause. Mastercraft had a service bulletin about this.