Hard to start when hot

[87 Sunsport]

For the last couple of years my '87 351 has started and run flawlessly. Last week I puttered at about 400 rpm for about 4hrs while my son did a 9 mile endurance swim. Each time I stopped the motor to feed him, the boat was harder to start, other than that the boat ran perfectly. Toward the end I was glad I had a new battery. There was a "sweet" smell after the hard starts. I change the plugs and fuel filter every year. Anyone else with this problem, or insight into the cause?

[87 Blue Saltare]

Was it dragging or did it turn over a lot, but not start?

[87 Sunsport]

Turning over nicely. I have a new high amp battery, new belts and a good alternator. One strange thing though, it seems that after a long crank that letting off on the key lets it start, as if the starter power was going to the coil.
I'm thinking that next time I should take off the spark arrestor and see what the butterfly is doing.

[87 Blue Saltare]

Had a hard hot-start problem with mine, but it was electrical (in the starter)...wouldn't turn over. SOunds like yours is different....

[skiman_61]

Check your timing. Sometimes harder to start when hot could be off just a little.