1996 GTX One minute running great next minute won't run and backfiring

[CBR1000]

OK so I need some help. My 1996 GTX was running fantastic all day, I went to the dock and stopped the ski. My son jumped on the ski and headed out for his ride. It started just as normal and about 40 feet from the dock it started running crappy I.E missing/poping, no power, etc. He made it back to the dock and it died. Tried to start it with no luck to speak of. It wanted to run but was poping like a backfire out of the carb or exhaust couldn't really tell? So we pulled it out of the water and when I tried to start it, it poped a couple times and then ran crappy backfired out of the exhaust and kinda smoothed out???? Took it to the house hooked the hose to it and same thing Cranked over some minor backfiring and then started, idled a little crappy but after a couple small pops and a touch of the throttle it smoothed out and seemed ok. The missing/backfiring sound had me worried though. SO I figured I'd take it back to the dock and just back it in while on the trailer to see if it would run in the water? NOPE! It just tried to start while doing the same thing (Poping/Missing) took it out of the water and again would start but ran crappy for a sec and smoothed out! What is wrong??????

 

[Dr Honda]

I would check to make sure the rotary valve is still timed properly... but it sounds electrical.

Pop the flywheel cover off, and check the coils, and that there aren't any wires cut. Also, open your electrical box, and look for corrosion.

 

[CBR1000]

Rotory valve timing?

K checked for any corosion. (None) Checked Stator and nothing looks bad.... What should the timing be? And how do I check or set it?
Thanks

 

[my787]

OK so I need some help. My 1996 GTX was running fantastic all day, I went to the dock and stopped the ski. My son jumped on the ski and headed out for his ride. It started just as normal and about 40 feet from the dock it started running crappy I.E missing/poping, no power, etc. He made it back to the dock and it died. Tried to start it with no luck to speak of. It wanted to run but was poping like a backfire out of the carb or exhaust couldn't really tell? So we pulled it out of the water and when I tried to start it, it poped a couple times and then ran crappy backfired out of the exhaust and kinda smoothed out???? Took it to the house hooked the hose to it and same thing Cranked over some minor backfiring and then started, idled a little crappy but after a couple small pops and a touch of the throttle it smoothed out and seemed ok. The missing/backfiring sound had me worried though. SO I figured I'd take it back to the dock and just back it in while on the trailer to see if it would run in the water? NOPE! It just tried to start while doing the same thing (Poping/Missing) took it out of the water and again would start but ran crappy for a sec and smoothed out! What is wrong??????

first simple/cheap thing to try is new spark plugs. That could explain the misfire.