Interesting update. Last week when I was fishing around in the bilge to see if I could spot trouble around the fuel cooler, I noticed that my fuel line was kind of clamped down in places that were likely to get stepped on and noticed a few clamps that got squished and that the fuel line was just kind of flapping around under the engine.

Looking further, I found a nice big hole in the stringer where that fuel line must have been routed at some point (same hole on starboard side and starboard fuel line run through it as well). I disconnected everything, rerouted the line through the hole and reclamped it down far below the engine.

Today, ran the boat for a solid 90 minutes straight, stopped for lunch for about a little under an hour. Went to leave and wouldn't you know, that engine started on the first turn of the key. No cycling of the fuel pump at all... just turned the key and she lit right away, no problem.

I'm not sure what to make of it. Not sure if relocating the fuel line did the trick or we just weren't stopped long enough for the problem to re-occur. Have to wait and see what happens next time..

Last season you where going to test good engine fuel pressure,to see how long it takes to bleed down,,if at all,,have you checked... other engine yet????

I have not checked the other engine yet.. I'm no longer suspecting fuel pressure..

Ran her again this morning. Went for a nice 40 minute run this morning, ran her WOT and got everything nice and hot. Let her sit for about 90 minutes like being at a lunch stop. Turned the key; engine fired right up. I think moving the fuel line may have solved the problem.

I've gone out three times since Friday. All three times running for an hour or so, then taking a rest for about 90 minutes. Engine has started right up every single time. I'm inclined to say problem solved. Just moving the fuel line did the trick. Thanks to all for suggestions and advice.. much appreciated.

If they all were only that easy. I would wonder if the fuel line got heat soaked after shut down and boiled the fuel out and by you moving it might not get as much heat soaked ? This seems to be the only real logic as to why your problem has gone away.

I think that is exactly what was happening. Before I moved the fuel line, it was lying across the top of my water intake lines going into my sea strainer and also had a few bends in it and was much closer to the bottom of the engine. After I rerouted it, it was underneath those same lines and at the very bottom of the bilge and the bends were eliminated. As you say, my guess is that the fuel line was getting heat soaked, boiled off the fuel and trapped air between those bends.. and it's really the only logical explanation at this point..