It happens...

[Bubble Boy]

Originally Posted by Dim Jay

Any Yellowtail Tuna that we catch off of the kelp paddies in La Jolla will have trace amount of radiation. You are in denial if you won’t admit that.

Excellent point Jay!

For those of you that don't know, Jay has memorized the internet regarding this topic, and many others. I would listen to him if I were you.

[ful-rac]

OMG!!! You guys are kill'n me!!!!!

[driftwood]

bubble boy and Dim day are holding hands tiptoeing through the tulips.
Tiny Tim - Music Video - Tiptoe Through The Tulips - YouTube

[Old Man in the Sea]

Thanks very much to Dim Jay and Bubble boy for teaming up on the solution...After the 9:06 pm edit/correction for consistency - I now think we have the best 2 probable root causes. That is provided that the rope thingy Stinky Matt mentioned was in fact utilized in the earlier attempts. Thanks Driftwood for providing a copy of the theme song used during the brain storming session...
This thread can be closed now...and we can go back to fishing

Trace the problem...

Engines need three things
1) Air/compression
2) Fuel
3) Spark

Air is never the issue, so start at spark. Compression can obviously be an issue but it would be more pronounced symptoms.

Pull the spark plug wires and put it up against your wrist. Fire the engine. Did you get a little shock on all of them? Yes? Good sign. No? Work your way back from the engine to the battery. Everything working ok? Move to check fuel.

I'm not familiar with your setup, but if it's an outboard, you have a fuel cell, right? On that fuel cell should be an inline priming bulb? I'm sure that this isn't info you don't already know, but that priming bulb should be nice and firm. After your engine dies, if that priming bulb gets soft, you can start tracking the issue.

I think the clogged fuel intake is a spot on guess. Check the filter/coalescer depending on your set up. Injectors may be clogged too. Depends on the age and how you service your engine.

I'm sure it's nothing major. Bad fuel is a good guess too. Accidentally get diesel? Maybe there was condensation in the fuel cell? The recent heat wave can cause water to build up inside your cell/tank and depending where your pickup tube is placed you could be picking up diluted fuel.