150 EFI Mariner Fuel Problem

My buddy has 97 150 EFI Mariner on Astro bass boat. Boat was run every day and just prior to picking up the boat from previous owner he changed white screw-on fuel filter on engine. Now when you go to take off the engine will sputter and act like its not gettn fuel. Sometimes its when you first go to take off and sometimes if you plane out then go to give it more gas it will hesitate and bog down. I think its the old fuel line that is breaking down (its original old faded fuel line that runs from boat to engine). So replaceing the fuel line and gona remove white screw on fuel filter and empty it to check for debris or junk. Then run some engine cleaner thru it that will clean out any junk or debris. I think this will fix the problem but anymore suggestions?