I am not sure where I read it, might have been this forum. Somebody posted this sure-fire method that some mechanic had told him about long ago and that it works. It was something like... squeeze the bulb 5 times. Push the key in to choke the engine x-times. Let the engine sit for ten seconds without doing anything. Crank. I dunno, something like that. Claimed it worked on any outboard, lol. Anyone know the strategy? I copied it but have lost it in a computer crash. Just would be fun to try.

Is your motor carbureted?

Hop on one foot and pat you head with your left hand while waving a pirate flag with your right hand and whistle Oh Susanna in the key of G

Yes, has carbuerator. I start it okay but sometimes it is finicky, mostly curious what that fool-proof method was, lol.

I usually just turn the key and she fires right up

I sure hope you find it, anyone that has a guaranteed start procedure for any kind of motor needs to copy right or patent that sucker. I know I want a copy.

Fresh muffler bearings usually do the trick.

Pretty impossible to devise a sure fire method of starting an engine with weak/no spark, bad/no fuel, or weak/no compression. 

 

-Squeeze the primer bulb until it's firm.

-Set idle to high in neutral.

-Activate choke (depends on make/model. Look it up if unsure.)

-Turn key/pull rope.

*Should be running by now*

-Lower idle and deactivate choke once operating temp is reached.

 

It should start like that. If not, then there's something that needs your attention (carb, ignition, plugs/wires, bad fuel, etc.)

 

Engines that are temperamental to start are not just one of those things. They are that way because of neglect or because they are old/tired (no offense to you old/tired dudes.) 

I will sell you the magic pixie dust that always makes the motor start for the low price of $999.99. It's invisible and lasts forever, so don't be shocked when the dust shaker looks empty. Just shake it over the motor and it starts every time*

*results not typical or guaranteed. Made with bits of real panther.

It seems like the older carbureted 2 strokes have their own signature unique to that specific motor. For example from the motors I've had

 

88 Johnson 8 Horse - half choke & fast idle

83 Mercury 70 - turn key

96 Johnson 88spl - fast idle & tap choke

97 Evinrude 130 - tap choke only dislikes fast idle with a passion

 

For all of those listed, this is for the first start of the day. Once they've been ran, they all started with just a turn of the key.

It seems like the older carbureted 2 strokes have their own signature unique to that specific motor. For example from the motors I've had

88 Johnson 8 Horse - half choke & fast idle

83 Mercury 70 - turn key

96 Johnson 88spl - fast idle & tap choke

97 Evinrude 130 - tap choke only dislikes fast idle with a passion

For all of those listed, this is for the first start of the day. Once they've been ran, they all started with just a turn of the key.

So, what you're saying is he should buy a Mercury

My routine is:

 

Insert key, turn key.

 

That usually works.

My sure fire method was to buy a Honda! Started every time I turned the key since 2005!

If the carburetor has fuel in it (squeeze the bulb till it's firm, see above), and it's choked, it should start with 1 to 3 pulls.  If not, get it serviced.

So, what you're saying is he should buy a Mercury

Nope not saying that at all, because that was one of the few I've seen (non fuel injected) that wasn't a pain in the rear end to get started. I've got a friend who's got a 25 Merc from the late 90's they bought new and from day one they have to choke and fast idle it and crank like crazy at EVERY start warm or not. Another friend of mine has a 2005 50 hp Mercury that is a pain to get started the first time every trip and can be fussy when warm as well. A guy in our bass club has a 150 that's in the early 2000's that he has to choke & fast idle and crank for a least a minute of actual cranking time if not more to get it going every morning. I'm sure there are plenty of people who have no problems with them, or their starting, but I'm not a fan. Coincidentally, the Mercury of mine that started so well was tearing itself apart from the inside out. Every so often metal shavings would melt on one of the spark plugs killing once cylinder completely.

If you have to crank more than a couple times, your carb wasn't full of fuel and you are relying on the choke to pull the fuel into the carb.  Plain and simple.

 

Now I'm wondering if some outboards have electric pumps in the tank, so you don't need to prime?