'73 Nautique Runs on Trailer - Not in Water

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post on CorrectCraftFan.com, but I have been using the site for over a year now; what a wealth of information!

I purchased my 1973 Ski Nautique at the end of the summer last August. It ran alright, but had been sitting in a driveway unused for about a year. In December, I tore the boat apart and replaced all stringers and flooring. I also had the Edelbrock carb rebuilt this spring as well as had the exhaust hose kinks fixed with new stainless steel elbows.

The boat starts every time on a dime while on the trailer hooked up to a hose. Last weekend, we took it out to the lake for the first water run of the season after the overhaul. The boat started and idled around the dock just fine for around 5 minutes. Once the truck was parked, and everyone was on board (3 of us), we made our way past the buoys, I gave it some gas. At first, it went fine, but huffed and puffed, and the motor died. The boat would not start again, and we had to get towed. We finally got the boat on the trailer and out of the water. I turned the key, and the boat fired right up. We then placed the boat in the water on the trailer. It started again, and I placed it in reverse off of the trailer. The boat died again and would not start until out of the water. We tried a third time and got the same results.

The electric choke has full power and is working fine. The prop shaft also spins freely, so I don't think there is an alignment issue.

Any thoughts? It's as almost the boat doesn't like water!

Thanks Again,

Ben

Like Chris says... could be
"A" fuel
"B" Ignition
"C" All of the above (or a combination)

When it dies, .... did you check the carb to make sure it's squirting fuel?
              ..... make sure your dizzy weights are advancing when under acceleration?
              
               .....what do plugs look like? (wet, carboned ,etc)


How old is the fuel in the tank? Have you checked the fuel filter(s? What do you have for gas lines on the boat?

Do you have pics of the engine? (and the rest of the boat? ...we like pictures!)

Going to try and put her back on the lake tonight after work, I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Thanks Guys

also check your dizzy advance weights to make sure they're free.

If it won't run under load I'd have to do some research but still puzzled why it wouldn't start back up. When this happens you must verify spark and fuel before we can go further.

It won't run under a load you need to check your firing order and confirm you haven't crossed a plug wire.

They can run and sound surprisingly good without a load even if a wire is crossed but put a load on it and it will stumble.

Bri892001 wrote: Vacuum Leak? Another test, use a level along the gunnel of the boat running front to back. How does the level Edit: on the trailer compare to the level in the the water? Wondering if it's possible if it's a fuel bowl level issue.

backfoot100 wrote: Unfortunately, it's an Edelbrock. I don't know squat about them.

Don't worry Eddie,no one does

A new one for all of us!

Wow. Great you figured it out.