2020 150hp possible fuel related issue

[pittpete]

4th time out after purchasing boat with 2020 150hp with 260 hrs and full tank of fuel.
Previous owner never knew he had a fuel water seperator but always rtreated with marine stabil.
I replaced it before going out on my 4th trip.
I cruised around for around an hour+ between 4-4500 RPMs.
Slowed down to around 3000 RPMs while returning and the engine hesitated when I throttled back up.
Kept it at 3000 for a few minutes and tried again and she hesitated.
Kept it at 3000 while limping home for sround 10 minutes or so.
Tried one more time to accelerate before entering marina and she was fine.
Sound like water in fuel or a restriction that some how passed through?
Down to half tank of fuel and no alarms on dash?
Thanks

 

[nola mike]

Could be a lot of things. How old is the gas? Stabil isn't magic. Did you check the filter when you changed it? Might want to take another look. Running off a fresh portable tank is always pretty high on initial troubleshooting steps.

 

[pittpete]

Purchased it 2 weeks ago.
Im sure theres some of last years fuel mixed with new since the guy didnt take it out much this year.
The old separator filter contents didnt look terrible when I poured it into a clear container.
Should I pull the new filter if it happens again?
Thanks for the suggestion on the portable fuel tank.
New to 4 strokes

 

[airshot]

Didn't look terrible....? Any concern at all should have been a call for further testing. As you noticed, walking back to the dock after your motor quits is not a viable choice. Your safest bet is to pump out the fuel tank and check for water which be be near the bottom. Another option is pull the water seporator filter and see how much water is in there. If you not sure, pour a small amount off and see if it burns. I have saw so much water in fuel that it would not burn at all. Saving a tank of fuel is not worth the potential damage to your motor. Pay very close attention where you buy your fuel, in most cases, the fuel your buying is not good as many stations do not properly test and maintain their underground tanks. Fuel needs to be treated before it is contaminated not after.

 

[pittpete]

What I meant by didnt look terrible is I dumped the contents of the fuel separator into a container. It looked clean with no particles in it. I let it sit for half an hour and saw no separation in the container.
I appreciate your response.
My engine didnt quit, it hesitated at 3000 rpms twice after running for over an hour.
Im going back tomorrow for further testing.
I will update in hopes my post can help someone in the future