Gas gets another one.

[Destroyer]

I have an older (1981) 3.6hp Mercury outboard that has been sitting in the garage attic for lots of years. (Cleaned, fogged, put to sleep properly). Took it down, put fresh gas in it and test started it about a week or so ago. As expected, it started after a few pulls of the cord and ran perfectly. Went on a canoe sightseeing trip with my sister yesterday. (Canoe is a Coleman Scanoe with a square stern) About an hour into the trip upriver she started acting funny, sputtering and such, and within a few minutes had quit completely. Took us several hours paddling to get back to the launch area. (Which in all honesty was fun and a good workout...Not too taxing since it was downriver).
Took it apart this morning.. gummed up old black rubber hose from the gas tank to the filter, and from the filter to the carb... and...you guessed it.. carb jets were also full of a black, sticky gunk. Not a lot, just enough to choke off the gas to the engine.

Moral of the story:
Anyone that has an older engine should take note.. CHANGE YOUR FUEL LINES now, to the ethanol proof type that are available. You'll thank me for it later.