Fuel - Starting Issue

[bvwebb]

1998 232BR 5.7EFI Engine Serial # OLO67129:  two weeks ago - Running great for 3+ hours pulling tubes with multiple riders. Stop to changeout riders, crank, idle down and cut off.  After multiple attempts (3-6) she fires with a little throttle help and I immediately pop her into gear before she idles back down.  Another hour or so with no issues.  I got her home and changed out the fuel water separator and found nothing when I drained it into a glass jar.  I added an emulsifier to the tank for good measure.  I'll fetch the name of the additive if it is of interest to any of you.
Forward to this past weekend: 2-3 hours of great performance - tubing etc...  After anchoring out, eating, swimming maybe 1.5 hrs on anchor; much harder to get started!  Pa in-law saw very little fuel from the injectors whilst I was trying to start her.  After she finally turned over, one hour of great performance!  In-law believes it to be electrical signal from distributor is missing at low idle?
Please help.

[first timer]

I have 2000 232 br and had a very similar problem.
Would start up with no problem then after anchoring for a while the boat would start and then die
It turned out to be a bad connection where the electronic fuel pump plugs into.  I believe it plugs into the oil pressure unit.  Just unplugged cleaned the connections and has been running with no problem.  Hope this helps, good luck.

[Gene]

You say nothing coming out of the fuel filter indicates the pump isnt pumping. In the car world we still see vapor locking issues with higher alchohol content. Next time try opening the hatch for cool air to see if it helps.

[kleake]

While you are cranking, the fuel pump will bypass the oil pressure switch, start.  Once the key is in the run position, it looks for oil pressure and if it's not there it will die.   My carbed engine did this when we first bought the boat.  Turned out to be a bad oil pressure switch, but could easily be just the wiring or connectors as well.