1987 Ski Supreme bad idle

I own a 1987 Ski Supreme with a Ford 351 Commander engine. The boat runs pretty well especially when in gear. The idling is pretty bad, its nearly impossible to keep no wake (which is obviously terrible when trying to get kids up on the ski while dragging). Sometimes when kicking into gear, it stalls. And usually idling for more than 10-15 seconds will also cause it to stall. Can anyone help or have any suggestions? I really want to fix this before the season!!

Thanks!

The carb is relatively new. Only a little over 3 years old. When I bought the boat. It has done it since they day I bought it. Somedays more than others. Somedays it runs perfectly fine and others it will stall out when idling.

I'm not too familiar with checking the idle mixture. How would one go about doing that?

At least you still have a couple months before you will need it in NH.
When was the last tune-up: plugs, wires, cap, rotor and carb adjustment? The fuel we are forced to run is not healthy for these old carbed engines either..

A really bad idle including stalling is in my experience most often the result of flooding caused by failure of the float and the attached needle valve to control the level of fuel in the bowls. Fuel overflows the bowls and drips into the intake manifold at idle, causing an excessively rich mixture that is very difficult to ignite. You may be able to confirm this by looking down the throat of the carb with the flame arrestor off while it is idling. If you see fuel dripping at idle, then that is the culprit.

I'll be sure to check looking down the throat of the carb. If that seems to be the problem with fuel dripping, what should I look to do?

Got it! thanks, I will definitely look into that!

That is perfect! Any idea on prices?