I purchased a 1997 Stratos 258 with 90 hp Yamaha mounted 1" above the transom. Motor has good compression, new plugs, new water pump, and carbs have been cleaned. Now for the PROBLEM: After getting boat on plane and traveling for 2-3 minutes there is a noticable loss of power and the boat comes off plane. The engine never dies but I can't plane off for a few minutes so I idle. Appears the engine may be getting hot and I have to let it cool down....the question is WHY? There is a good stream of water being discharged, I am not trimming up the engine, cavitation plate is almost even with running pad on hull. The transom has a factory builtin setback of about 6" which I would think would help get good water to the water intake. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Modified by BassRod1 at 5:02 AM 5/2/2007