What did you tell the marina today that worked on your boat, charged you a ton of money, and by your first drive reported results fixed nothing ?

Best thing I have ever done to my boat was take all of that crap fuel system out, replace it with electric fuel pump and pressure regulator.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1eDUf_EHcEo excuse the loud flappers, freaked me out at first!

I think they treated me fairly - was actually less than I was expecting. The work they did was needed, we just haven't figured out all the fuel system issues . . .

In hind sight, I probably should have just done this, but I'm trying to keep it relatively "stock" so I don't scare away any prospective buyers in the future when I sell it to upgrade . .

So I did a double check on fuel pressure - pressure pumps up to about 32psi when the pump first turns on - pretty much holds there. I don't know why an OEM pressure regulator would not hold the 36-38 recommended for this fuel system.

Is there an easy "temporary fix" to get the pressure reliably up? I thought about adding a second pressure regulator on the return line from the cool fuel pressure relief - but I am concerned that the OEM pressure relief won't handle the 36psi on the discharge - I don't want to blow it apart when on the water . .

Would this be ok or a bad idea? If a bad idea, is there an adapter I can put in place of the OEM pressure relief to add an aftermarket relief down stream? ( I don't really want to re-do the entire fuel system if it can be avoided )

Maybe because someone retrofitted a cool fuel system to a vst system is the source of the fuel pressure problem. Do both systems have the pressure regulator in the same spot ( on the front of the fuel rail for the vst). Does the cool fuel use a mech pump?

I'm sure it was VST origninally and has been retrofitted to cool fuel. The pressure relief is on the top of the fuel cooler. I'm not sure what happened to the VST pressure relief - it is no longer there. ( There is a "damper?" with a clear tubing connection to one of the intake ports )
Cool fuel does not use a mechanical pump by design, but mine has one on it - I'm guessing that was done to attempt to solve the vapor lock problem, but I have no idea why it is there.

Sticking with my original thought, get rid of that mess and replace it with a pump and regulator. Your set up is not "stock". Properly done, changing it over will not hurt value and will perform better and last longer in my opinion.

That's a good point

I have looked at other threads on this issue - and it is a little overwhelming

Is there a good "how to" some place with recommended components?

Can I use a fixed pressure regulator or do I need something that will adjust like this: Aeromotive Marine Fuel Pressure Regulator

Where do people get the fittings and braided hose assemblies - online or should they be available at a local hydraulic hose shop? ( Did some googling and found the answer to this - I'm more used to working with hydrauilc hoses that are crimped on fittings, but also have to withstand 2000 psi )

Got most of my components on ebay, some stuff at jegs, made my own lines with an fittings.