Old boat carb problem?

I bought a boat with a 1968 65 hp Thunderbolt Outboard. I, being a new boat owner and kind of excited, put it right on the water on Saturday even though i knew there might be some quirky things wrong with it. It ran fine! Brought it home, and put it back in the water on Sunday. It never started. Battery was charged, outboard turned over but never started and i noticed some fuel coming from the carbs. If the carbs were rebuilt, would it run? Im assuming the float was stuck but im not mechanic. But my other question is, if i rebuild the carbs, should i buy and install a new float too? Or what all would i need to purchase to rebuild and install carbs again? Will one rebuild kit fill all my needs?I have bought a Seloc Manual to help me out but hoping someone might have some insight on my problem. Thanks and God Bless.

Re: Old boat carb problem?

I have a 76 85hp that I just did the carbs on. Get a gallon of carb cleaner to soak all your parts in ($20). If you have a good digital camera, take pics as you go in case you forget how someting goes back together. I needed two rebuild kits because mine has two carbs. It can't hurt to replace the floats, esp if you suspect that's what was stuck. Were the plugs covered in fuel when it wouldn't start?

Re: Old boat carb problem?

Yes it was, Fuel was running out into the water......I m not big on outboards but i am trying to learn.Plugs covered and i know i have to get to kits. Was it hard? Did it fix your problems?

Re: Old boat carb problem?

I wouldn't call it hard. Just keep closetrack of how things go together. I got new floats for mine an they were slightly different and had a different adjustment for height. They did come with a drawing and height setting. It just looked different than the original. I havn't had it back on the water, but it does start.