250 E-Tec--Dies at upper RPM

[fishnfireman]

My partner bought a like new 21X Triton with a 2005 model 250 E-tec.. The boat was bought new by a gentelman who used it about a half dozen times. Then had some health issues..
It came with a 24 Raker.. we took it to the lake and were only able to get 53 mph out of it.
We raised the mtr as high as it would go on the 8" manual j-plate and picked up 10 mph. but it would start walking at 55.. Changed to a 4 blade power tech 24 pitch-- gained another 4 mph and much easier to drive.,

However- later in the day the mtr died while running about 55.. It would not re-fire-- the gas bulb was soft --after many squezies it got hard and the mtr started and ran ok----only to do the same thing after several short runs later!!!!!!

Was thinking about changing the fuel lines and the fuel filter-------------However there are many specialized fuel lines on the mtr...
Do these need changed due to the ethanol degredation-- or are they OK ???
I have heard of several issues with older fuel line vs ethanol
We also found a kink in the fuel line where the jake leg who rigged it did some chitty work not sure if it is enough to starve the engine for fuel or not!!

Any ideas--help--solutions would be welcome

[SEAHORSE]

Hooking up a vacuum gauge a piece of clear fuel line to the pump inlet will show if there is a fuel restriction or air bubbles in the fuel system causing the motor to quit at high speed.

[fishnfireman]

Thanks