new boat, first time in the water

[scrutch]

last weekend was the first time I put my new boat (1999 Viper Cobra, 125 merc) in the water. WOW I'm really amazed at the ride in 1-2 ft chop. It felt like driving a new car on a newly paved road!

I put the boat thru its paces. Flat out, trimmed up, almost all my gear on board, and an empty livewell, the boat hit 57 mph.

My mechanic just called me after doing some routine maintenance and a lower unit reseal, and said two of the four carbs are running lean. He said it'd be a good idea to go thru all four carbs and correct the issues with them.

My questions...

1. how much performance am I losing with 2 lean running carbs? 5mph?

2. the carb job really cant wait can it? I know a lean running 2 stroke engine doesn't last very long before you burn something up. Good idea to spend the $350 now and have it done?

3. any other things to look for?

[jdw174]

As the advertisement goes, "you can pay me now or pay me later".  $350 now to get things right will seem like a drop in the bucket if the lean carbs actually DO ruin something in that engine.  If it were me, I'd get the full Monty while the mechanic has his hands on it.

You've had the re-seal, make sure that he checks out the water pump...it may need replacing, and a compression check isn't out of the question.

I'm not familiar with the size of your rig, but if it's 18' or better, your speed figures may be a bit high.  Most marine speedos I've seen are usually off by about +5mph or so.  It's the most inaccurate gauge in your boat. 

[Jig Man]

A stitch in time as the saying goes, rebuild the carbs and maybe save a new powerhead.

[scrutch]

As the advertisement goes, "you can pay me now or pay me later". $350 now to get things right will seem like a drop in the bucket if the lean carbs actually DO ruin something in that engine. If it were me, I'd get the full Monty while the mechanic has his hands on it.

You've had the re-seal, make sure that he checks out the water pump...it may need replacing, and a compression check isn't out of the question.

I'm not familiar with the size of your rig, but if it's 18' or better, your speed figures may be a bit high. Most marine speedos I've seen are usually off by about +5mph or so. It's the most inaccurate gauge in your boat.

water pump impeller replaced. pump is stainless.  I'll take my handheld GPS next time out for an accurate MPH reading.  THX.