2012 Merc fourstroke Voltage spike

[lowclass21]

Hello friends. I have a 2012 Mercury fourstroke 150 hp. It has about 50 hrs on it if that. Less than an a year of use. Yesterday I had an alarm go off at the helm as I began to increase in rpm. After checking things out it appears to be increasing the voltage too much. Unless im putting along as soon as a put the boat under any sort of load the voltage spikes to about 16 or 17 volts then the engine spits and sputters and obviously I back off the rpm.

Any ideas what the problem may be? It is under warranty and will be going to a mercury dealer soon I'm just really curious. I know car engines but not a lot about outboards. I am thinking maybe a faulty voltage regulator?