My new skiff. Suzuki 20hp stutters.

[Super]

So I got a 1994 Carolina Skiff J16 and have been patching it up. It’s finally close to where I want it.

I have a close to new Suzuki 20hp outboard on it. Took it out yesterday for the first time and had a problem. The outboard started to skip or hesitate when at full throttle. It’s fine at 90% but not wide open.

Tried the same outboard on my 14ft aluminum boat, which is half the weight, and it was fine.

I’m thinking that the gas could be bad or maybe the trim angle of the outboard. Trim looks off and I adjusted it but didn’t retest it

Could the trim make the outboard sputter? Any other ideas?

[Capt. Debbie]

Bad gas is always bad gas.

The Carolina is MUCH heavier so the OB can't develop the same top end RPM's A mechanic will tell you to go down in pitch bite on the Carolina set up to develop O/B max rpm. But even that should not make a "stutter"

Is stutter just bogging down with nothing left- unresponsive? If so the overpitched prop is your issue. If its hesitating like a spit noise ( sounds like valve mis action) it's ignition or computer. Sounds like a pitch problem.

You can buy a wired in tach for the O/B. I have a little digital one that also gives accumulated engine hours on my 20hp EFI Merc. Can tell right off if the max hp RPM's are coming up short in the Carolina.

Hope that helps?

Originally Posted by Super

So I got a 1994 Carolina Skiff J16 and have been patching it up. It’s finally close to where I want it.

I have a close to new Suzuki 20hp outboard on it. Took it out yesterday for the first time and had a problem. The outboard started to skip or hesitate when at full throttle. It’s fine at 90% but not wide open.

Tried the same outboard on my 14ft aluminum boat, which is half the weight, and it was fine.

I’m thinking that the gas could be bad or maybe the trim angle of the outboard. Trim looks off and I adjusted it but didn’t retest it

Could the trim make the outboard sputter? Any other ideas?

[bulletbob]

First off, if it runs ok at 90% it probably is something minor,, Here's how I would proceed,,, Pull both spark plugs, and check the gap, the specs should be easy to find online.. I have fixed MANY running problems on OB motors by cleaning and regapping the plugs.. Might want to simply replace them... Make SURE that gap is correct, it really is critical on OB engines.
Make sure the gas is fresh, that might be the problem,,, Again, I have fixed many running problems with fresh gas.. if you put new gas, new plugs and it still won't run right at WOT, I would suspect a clogged main jet in the carb, but typically when they are clogged you will NOT get good performance at 90% throttle either...bob