Boat troubles?

Question

I have a boat engine/moter(i dont know what its called) that goes 40 mph. Yesterday i went out on a river and it worked perfectly. Today i went out again, and the moter started shaking when i turned it on , and it would not gain speed. Also smoke would come out, and there was a bit of gas on the water, from me. I had to twist some things around it there, and it worked, and it stopped on its own and it would not reach its speed.

i am turning it in for a check tomarro, but i realy want to know what is wrong.

Answer 1

Could be 1,000 things.  When you get your diagnosis, we can try to determine whether they've explained your symptoms.

Don't forget to get a full description of your motor/engine/whatever ;) from the mech.  Year, make, hp.

Answer 2

You may have water in the fuel from the last fill up, which is not uncommon.  

Is it a newer four stroke engine or an older two stroke?