Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I suspect that I have a fuel supply problem.
At the end of our day today while cruising around our lake the motor suddenly would loose power, like it was not getting gas. When it did if I would immediately cut the throttle and it would idle fine.(it only died once and started right back up)
If I gave it throttle again it would not take it unless I pumped up the primer bulb.(it would go soft) Then it would take throttle again for a few seconds to a minute and then start to die again. I was able to limp back to the slip at 2500 rpm or less without any problems.
I replaced all fuel lines and primer bulb this spring because the squirrels have eaten completely thru the fuel line.(I bought a Quicksilver replacements because of previous problems with Walmart crap primer bulbs) It ran great the first 3 trips out this season.

I am not the greatest with carbs, but I have rebuilt a few in years past.(2 stroke and 4 stroke)
I am thinking it's the fuel pump/diaphragm, any body have any other ideas I should check?

Motor is a 2003 2 stroke Mercury 25hp. (SeaPro) Serial # 0T676***.

could be an exhaust leak, or tank vent. when it happens, have you opened the engine compartment? if no smoke, pull the take vent off and try it again. also, what kind of ski?

It's not a vent problem, I checked that. It's the outboard motor on our pontoon, not a ski.