Sputtering, sketchy acceleration, idle unsteady

[Laneman25]

I took out my boat yesterday. It's a 2001 Volvo 5.0 GL Chevy 305 with carb, Monterey 190 LS hull. Overall it ran, but had issues with unpredictable acceleration. Sometimes it did fine, other times it sputtered and hesitated. While at a steady speed it occasionally sputtered and almost died. I know there are many possibilities, but my feeling is there is water in the gas. I believe there is a water separator/fuel filter combo, guess I'll start there. If I find water, should I siphon the tank then fill and add some water remover?

 

[redneck joe]

Have you emptied the seperator filter?

 

[Scott Danforth]

my guess is you will find that you need to clean the fuel system including a carb rebuild.

 

[Laneman25]

Have you emptied the seperator filter?

Not yet, got home from the lake Sunday night

 

[redneck joe]

I'll get flamed as i always do but seafoam is a cheap action for cleaning stuff out if it is in fact the issue. Double the recipe on the label and run tour fuel out. Bring extra with you of course). Has worked for me more often than it hasnt worked.