Help! Planing issues

[4.3 Sunbird]

I’m having trouble with my, new to me, 2002 Sea Ray 200 5.0 L 220 HP Mercruiser taking longer than it should to get up on plane with just 4 people in the boat. I have a 14 x 19p prop now but had a 5 blade stainless on it when I bought it. Motor starts and idles very nicely but seems to struggle with the hole shot acceleration. I noticed a backfire once when I gunned it from take off.
I haven’t checked anything yet for plugs, wires, fuel filters etc. Previous owner, who I trust, says he didn’t have issues. Boat sat over winter in his heated shop, was pre-season serviced and ready for water by reputable dealership. I was first to use it since last summer, started with the 5 blade and tried the 3 blade, not a noticeable difference which I found strange.
Can anyone offer some advise on what could be the issue please?
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

start with compression numbers. should all be about 150 psi
verify the contents of the fuel filter is pure fuel

backfire on take off is most likely a plugged carb circuit or could be timing way out of spec.

do you have the drive all the way down for the holeshot?

 

[tank1949]

I assume Alpa drives? A lot of boat and people for 220 hp. Sounds like boat was never sea trialed? Check for hidden cavities that may have filled with water while prior owner used it. Why did he sell it????? Does top speed fall within parameters for motor? Do you have 2 stroke outboard or 4 stroke I/O experience? Same HP 4 stroke motors do not accelerate as fast as 2 stroke motors. It may have never been propped correctly. Go to good prop shop. U may have to take out some pitch. Ask the shop. It seems like a 15x15P would work better, but I am not a prop expert.

 

[Scott06]

I’m having trouble with my, new to me, 2002 Sea Ray 200 5.0 L 220 HP Mercruiser taking longer than it should to get up on plane with just 4 people in the boat. I have a 14 x 19p prop now but had a 5 blade stainless on it when I bought it. Motor starts and idles very nicely but seems to struggle with the hole shot acceleration. I noticed a backfire once when I gunned it from take off.
I haven’t checked anything yet for plugs, wires, fuel filters etc. Previous owner, who I trust, says he didn’t have issues. Boat sat over winter in his heated shop, was pre-season serviced and ready for water by reputable dealership. I was first to use it since last summer, started with the 5 blade and tried the 3 blade, not a noticeable difference which I found strange.
Can anyone offer some advise on what could be the issue please?
Thanks

I have a 2004 Sea Ray 200 sport with a 5.0, only diff is I have a 4 bbl carb. Is you boat a sport or the select with the longer built in swim deck?

Start with basic tune up (timing cap rotor plugs wires) and carb rebuild that scott recommends as likely you are down on power and should be doing better. Once you do that you can look at dropping prop pitch depending on where WOT rpm is

I tried a High Five prop and got terrible results with it came on plane fast but too much slip

one Issue I have is with the bench seating across the back people like to sit there on an already azz heavy boat

Likely the boat just needs some tlc

 

[cyclops222]

Time for you to spend a lot of P M money.
It could be a Accelerator Pump gasket in the carburetor.

 

[Scott Danforth]

My 2002 SeaRay 190 had the 220hp 5.0. I ran a Solas 15x19P stainless.

As Scott mentioned above, if everyone is sitting in the back, move a person off the back and have them sit in the bow. When my ex wife's family was along (they would sit in the back and the boat did struggle), I simply moved my ex wife and ex mother in law to the bow. that 500# weight transfer was all that was needed to get the boat to plane properly.

still need to address the backfire issue.

 

[Scott06]

moved my ex wife and ex mother in law to the bow.

I guess eventually you moved them to the pier... was planning better after that ?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I guess eventually you moved them to the pier... was planning better after that ?

Jumped on plane immediately....

 

[tank1949]

My 2002 SeaRay 190 had the 220hp 5.0. I ran a Solas 15x19P stainless.

As Scott mentioned above, if everyone is sitting in the back, move a person off the back and have them sit in the bow. When my ex wife's family was along (they would sit in the back and the boat did struggle), I simply moved my ex wife and ex mother in law to the bow. that 500# weight transfer was all that was needed to get the boat to plane properly.

still need to address the backfire issue.

500# I guess I know why "EX."

 

[4.3 Sunbird]

500# I guess I know why "EX."

Thanks everyone for the advice, no “ex” to deal with but will try the basics first.